Soto’s Heroics Carry Mets Past Tigers
New York’s lineup finally got the spark it needed when Juan Soto erupted for six runs batted in, matching his personal best. The veteran right‑hander launched a 419‑foot grand slam in the fourth inning, turning a 3‑2 deficit into a 6‑3 lead. Six innings later he delivered a clutch two‑run triple that pushed the margin to 8‑6, effectively sealing the win.
Detroit opened the scoring with a towering 429‑foot homer by Niko Jones in the first frame, but the Mets answered quickly. Luis Torrens’ double in the second brought home Jeff McNeil and Mark Vientos, giving New York a 2‑1 edge. The Tigers reclaimed the lead in the third when Eduardo Pérez crushed a 411‑foot shot, making it 3‑2.
After Soto’s grand slam, the Tigers fought back, stringing together a triple from Zach McKinstry and an RBI single from Jones to narrow the gap to 6‑5. The Tigers tied it at 6‑6 on a wild pitch that allowed Spencer Torkelson to sprint home, setting up a dramatic final stretch.
Beyond Soto, the Mets received solid contributions across the board. Brett Baty’s groundout in the seventh produced a run, while Brandon Nimmo’s RBI single later in the inning made it 9‑6. Detroit managed late insurance runs in the seventh and eighth, but they fell short.
How the Game Unfolded
Starting pitcher Sean Manaea struggled early, lasting just 3.2 innings and surrendering five earned runs on eight hits. The bullpen stepped up, with Edwin Díaz locking down the final 1.1 innings and recording two strikeouts for the save. Luis Torrens finished a perfect three‑for‑three night, adding two runs and two RBIs, and Jeff McNeil chipped in with a pair of hits and runs.
The win nudged the Mets to a 74‑64 record, improving their road performance to 29‑37 after a season of tough trips. Detroit, meanwhile, saw its home dominance dip as the Tigers slipped to 80‑59, their 44‑26 home mark now under pressure.
Both clubs will carry the lessons from this high‑scoring affair into the final weeks of the season. For New York, Soto’s display reaffirms his status as a postseason‑ready catalyst, while the Tigers will look to tighten up pitching when the next road game rolls around.
