Homer Happy Mets Cruise Past Padres 8-3

The Mets (78-73) topped the Padres (82-69) with an 8-3 win on Tuesday night at Citi Field. The triumph was powered by big homers from Brett Baty, Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, and Cedric Mullins.

New York’s “piggyback” pitching plan worked to perfection, as Clay Holmes gave the Mets four innings of two-run ball before Sean Manaea took over for five strong frames with just one run allowed. Manaea (2-3, 5.40 ERA) earned the win, helping the bullpen get a breather as the Mets opened the three-game set on a high note. The victory marked their second straight, with 11 games left on the year.

(Box Score)

Holmes allowed two runs on three hits, both coming via solo homers from Jackson Merrill and Jake Cronenworth, while striking out two and walking one.

New York’s bats wasted no time, exploding for five runs in the opening inning. Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto, Pete Alonso, and Brandon Nimmo strung together four straight singles to plate the first run. After a double play cut down two runners, Jeff McNeil delivered a clutch two-run double, and Brett Baty (17 homers) followed with a two-run bomb to right center to give the Mets a quick 5-0 advantage.

The offense kept rolling in the second, as Lindor (27) and Alonso (35) each launched solo homers to stretch the lead to 7-1.  Mullins added an insurance run in the fourth with his 17th homer of the year, making it 8-2.

Manaea handled the rest, limiting San Diego to one run on a Freddy Fermin solo blast in the eighth, while striking out four across five solid innings.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

Francisco Lindor earns Tuesday’s honor, reaching base three times and going 2-for-3 at the plate with a home run, a walk, and two runs scored.

ON DECK 

David Peterson (9-5, 3.77 ERA) will get the start for New York. In his last outing against the Phillies, the starter allowed three runs on seven hits over five innings, walking one and striking out eight.

Nick Pivetta (13-5, 2.73 ERA) will take the mound for the Padres. In his last time out against the Reds, he tossed seven shutout innings with just four hits allowed, one walk, and eight punch outs.

The first pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. on SNY.

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