Juan Soto launched a solo home run, and Tylor Megill delivered a solid performance into the sixth inning, helping the visiting New York Mets secure a 3-1 victory over the Houston Astros on Friday. The win evened the three-game interleague series at one apiece.
Soto’s home run came in the third inning when he crushed a 1-2 cutter from Astros right-hander Hunter Brown with two outs. The ball traveled 390 feet and had an exit velocity of 107.3 mph, landing off the facing of the second deck in right field. It was his first home run since joining the Mets after signing a record-breaking 15-year, $765 million contract during the offseason. His blast extended New York’s lead to 3-0.
The performance was a strong response from Soto, who had struck out to end the previous game while representing the potential go-ahead run. In this matchup, he finished 1-for-3 with a walk.
Megill, who made the start for the Mets, had an efficient outing and didn’t allow a baserunner until the fourth inning. He retired the first nine Houston hitters he faced before giving up a leadoff single to Jose Altuve in the bottom of the fourth. Isaac Paredes followed with another single, advancing Altuve to third base. Yordan Alvarez then lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, allowing Altuve to score and cutting the deficit to 3-1.
In the fifth inning, Megill issued a one-out walk to Cam Smith but quickly escaped the situation by inducing an inning-ending double play from Brendan Rodgers. He was lifted from the game in the sixth after allowing a pair of baserunners. However, Mets reliever Reed Garrett stepped in and prevented any damage, striking out Christian Walker and getting Yainer Diaz to fly out to center field with the bases loaded.
Megill completed his outing having allowed just one run on three hits and a walk while striking out six across five-plus innings.
The Astros had opportunities to chip away at the Mets’ lead but failed to capitalize. Smith worked a walk in the seventh inning, while Altuve drew another free pass in the eighth. However, Mets relievers A.J. Minter and Ryne Stanek managed to pitch around those baserunners without surrendering any additional runs.
In the ninth inning, closer Edwin Diaz took the mound and efficiently secured the win. He retired all three batters he faced, recording a perfect inning to earn his first save of the season.
The Mets’ offense got started in the second inning, when Mark Vientos and Jesse Winker delivered back-to-back run-scoring hits. Vientos doubled to bring in Brandon Nimmo, who had led off with a single and reached second due to a fielding error by Rodgers. Winker then followed with an RBI single to center, pushing the lead to 2-0.
Brown, the Astros’ starting pitcher, took the loss despite delivering a solid performance. He worked six innings, allowing three runs (two of which were earned) on four hits and three walks while striking out seven.