Holmes and Four Homers Propel Mets to Win Over Cubs

New York and Chicago have taken different routes to the top of their divisions: the Mets entered Friday second in MLB in runs allowed while the Cubs led the majors in runs scored.

Francisco Lindor, Brett Baty, Jeff McNeil and Juan Soto each hit solo homers, Clay Holmes was sharp and the Mets won 7-2 Friday night to open a six-game homestand and improve to 14-3 at Citi Field. Great pitching stifled great hitting.

Lindor’s eighth homer was his fourth to lead-off a game this year, and he got the crowd going again his next time up without swinging the bat. He came to the plate to a new walk-up song, replacing The Temptations’ “My Girl” with Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell’s “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” For the record, he struck out.

The Mets (25-14) were gifted two runs on a play in the third inning when Luisangel Acuña grounded to short with the bases loaded and Dansby Swanson stepped on second but airmailed the throw to first on what should have been an inning-ending double play.

Soto’s homer was his third in his last two games and eighth of the season. The Mets roughed up Cubs starter Jameson Taillon (2-2) for six runs on nine hits, including all four homers. He also gave up Pete Alonso’s NL-leading 14th double. He lasted four innings, threw 100 pitches and took the loss.

Holmes (5-1) gave up one run on three hits, walked three, struck out five and lowered his ERA to 2.74. He gave up a solo homer to Kyle Tucker, the first long ball he has surrendered this season.

He also got some help from his defense. Lindor charged a slow roller on the infield, barehanded it and threw Tucker out by a step in the first inning. Francisco Alvarez threw out Pete Crow-Armstrong trying to steal to end the second as well.

Ryne Stanek, Dedniel Núñez and Reed Garrett combined to pitch two scoreless innings in relief. José Buttó gave up a solo homer to Michael Busch in the ninth before sealing the victory.

Stat of the Game

Lindor tied Ed Kranepool for No. 13 on the Mets all-time home run list with his 118th blast in orange and blue. Next on the list is Edgardo Alfonzo (120). Brandon Nimmo lurks with 117 homers.

Not a stat, but perhaps of more interest: Lindor plans to alternate each at-bat between “My Girl” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”

Player of the Game

Lindor was 3-for-5 with the home run and two runs scored while also stealing his fifth base. In a groove no matter the song, he’s slashing .297/364/497.

On Deck

It’s Edwin Díaz bobblehead night! (Did the Mets send out “save” the dates?) Tylor Megill (3-2, 2.50 ERA) will look to rebound after giving up four earned runs in five innings at St. Louis in his last outing. The Cubs starter is  Brad Keller in what’s shaping up to be a bullpen game, and top prospect Cade Horton may also make his big league debut at some point. The game will start at 7:15 p.m. ET and air on FOX.

 

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