Juan Soto just barely missed hitting a grand slam during the fourth inning of Saturday night’s game. Instead of landing in somebody’s glove like other close calls this season, the ball hit high off the fence in right-center. Soto sprinted to second base with a go-ahead, two-run double, amplifying the cheers from the crowd that had erupted when he stepped up to the plate.
Soto’s timely hit was crucial for both himself and the Mets. The star right fielder played a pivotal role in the Mets’ 5-2 victory over the Dodgers, much to the delight of the 41,332 fans at Citi Field. Prior to this game, Soto had struggled with runners in scoring position, only hitting 5-for-42 (.119). The Mets as a team were also struggling in that area, ranking 27th in MLB with a .213 average. Soto’s 2-for-5 performance was a significant contribution to the Mets’ offensive efforts, as they collected 11 hits and secured their second win in three games.
In the rubber game of the series scheduled for Sunday night, the Mets will face the Dodgers once again in a rematch from last year’s NLCS. Following this series, the Mets will head to Dodger Stadium for a four-game road trip. David Peterson delivered a strong performance on the mound, pitching 7 ²/₃ innings and allowing two earned runs on five hits with seven strikeouts and two walks. It was the longest outing by a Mets starting pitcher this season, providing much-needed relief for a bullpen that had been exhausted the night before in a 13-inning loss. Edwin Díaz sealed the win with a scoreless outing to secure his second save of the season that lasted beyond one inning.
