Soto’s Grand Slam Propels Mets to Series Sweep of Marlins, Fourth Straight Win QUEENS, NY — A combination of early home runs from Carson Benge and Marcus Semien, along with a dramatic sixth-inning grand slam by Juan Soto, propelled the New York Mets to a 10-1 victory and a series sweep of the Miami Marlins on Sunday afternoon at Citi Field. The win marked the Mets’ fourth consecutive victory, lifting them out of last place in the National League East for the second time since April 29. Soto’s game-winning grand slam came in the sixth inning, capping off a two-out rally that began with Marlins reliever Josh White, making his MLB debut, struggling to contain the Mets’ offense. White managed to retire the first two batters he faced but quickly found himself in trouble after walks to Semien and Benge, sandwiched around a Luis Torrens hit-by-pitch. The bases were loaded when White walked Bo Bichette, putting the Mets up 5-1. Soto then launched a towering slider 433 feet to the Shea Bridge in right-center field, sending the crowd into a frenzy. The 27-year-old slugger watched the ball soar before flipping his bat toward his dugout in celebration. “I know where the pressure is in that situation,” Soto said after the game. “I just tried to execute, get a good pitch. I knew he was kind of wild, so I knew he was going to try to get in the zone early, so I was just ready to go.” Soto’s grand slam was his third career home run of the season and the 19th RBI of the month. Over his last 17 games, the star outfielder has hit nine home runs, showcasing his dominance at the plate. His performance was instrumental in the Mets’ offensive surge, which has seen them win four straight games after a 1-7 stretch. The Mets’ offensive onslaught began in the third inning when Benge, entering the game batting .#miami_marlins #juan_soto #new_york_mets #carson_benge #citi_field
Carson Benge Overcomes Slump as Mets' Outfielders Show Promise The New York Mets endured a grueling 16-day stretch that tested their resilience, culminating in a much-needed day off on Thursday. Despite a .500 record during the span, the team faced significant challenges, including injuries to key players like Clay Holmes, Francisco Alvarez, and Tyrone Taylor. Additionally, performances from pitchers David Peterson, Nolan McLean, and Devin Williams raised concerns about the team’s overall stability. However, the Mets’ 4-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday highlighted glimmers of hope, particularly in the form of their young outfielders, Juan Soto and Carson Benge. While the Mets’ offense continues to struggle, standout performances from Soto and Benge have sparked optimism about the franchise’s future. Soto, dealing with wrist discomfort that flares during swing-and-miss attempts, has responded with a surge in production. In his last 12 games, he has hit eight home runs, including a 449-foot blast off a 99.8-mph fastball from Eury Perez against the Marlins. Manager Carlos Mendoza praised Soto’s focus, calling him “locked in” and “one of the best, if not the best, at what he does.” However, Mendoza also noted that Soto’s success aligns with expectations, as the veteran slugger has long been a consistent performer. Benge, on the other hand, has faced a more turbulent path. After a 1-for-23 slump that forced him to shave his mustache in an attempt to change his luck, the rightfielder delivered two RBI singles in the Mets’ win over the Reds. His recent success has been particularly encouraging, as Benge’s inexperience makes slumps harder to overcome. Prior to his recent resurgence, his batting average had not exceeded .200 since April 1, but his .#juan_soto #new_york_mets #carlos_mendoza #carson_benge #a_j_ewing
Mets Rookie Benge Shaves Mustache, Notches Key Hits in Win Carson Benge, the New York Mets' rookie outfielder, made a bold decision to shave his mustache after struggling with his performance in early-season games. The 23-year-old player, who had been batting .136 with two extra-base hits and three RBIs in his first 21 games, attributed his recent turnaround to the change in appearance. After coming through with two clutch singles in a 4-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday, Benge reflected on his adjustment. "I haven't really been getting a ton of hits, so I just shaved it off and it worked," he said following the game. Benge's transformation has been significant, with his batting average climbing above .300 and his contributions to the team's offense growing. Since April 23, he has recorded 17 RBIs and 19 runs while adapting his approach at the plate. His resilience was on full display in a critical matchup against the Reds, where he broke a 1-for-20 slump with two RBI singles. With two outs in the fifth inning, Benge faced a 0-2 count against left-handed starter Andrew Abbott and responded by hitting an up-and-in fastball into center field for an RBI single that gave the Mets a 3-1 lead. Later in the seventh inning, he repeated the feat against right-handed reliever Zach Maxwell, driving a 98 mph fastball into the same gap to make it 4-2. Manager Carlos Mendoza praised Benge's determination, noting that the player had previously struggled with high-strike-zone pitches. "He's always aggressive. He has a really good swing, and he knows it," said star teammate Juan Soto. "He's squaring balls most of the time, and that's really cool to see." Mendoza added that Benge's ability to adapt has been impressive, particularly after a slow start to the season. "It's really good to see," Mendoza said.#juan_soto #new_york_mets #carlos_mendoza #carson_benge #jonah_tong
Mets-Dodgers is matchup of MLB's biggest payrolls The New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers are set to face off in what is shaping up to be the most expensive series in Major League Baseball history. The 2026 matchup features the two teams with the highest competitive balance tax (CBT) payrolls in the league, with the Mets carrying a $375 million-plus CBT payroll and the Dodgers holding the MLB-high $413.5 million CBT payroll. When combined with their respective tax bills, the total player expenditure for the 2026 season exceeds $1.07 billion, marking a historic financial showdown in baseball. The Dodgers’ 2026 CBT payroll alone surpasses the combined payrolls of the bottom four teams in MLB—the Chicago White Sox, Tampa Bay Rays, Cleveland Guardians, and Miami Marlins. Meanwhile, the Mets’ payroll eclipses the combined totals of the Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Guardians, and Tampa Bay Rays. The Dodgers’ estimated tax bill for 2026 is $161.9 million, which is higher than the total tax payrolls of 12 other teams, while the Mets’ $120 million tax bill exceeds the combined tax payrolls of six teams. The combined salaries of the four highest-paid players on both teams—Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto, Kyle Tucker, and Bo Bichette—exceed the total payroll of 14 MLB teams. This figure is within $400,000 of the Seattle Mariners’ payroll, which ranks as the second-highest in the league. The New York Yankees are the only team besides the Mets with a payroll within $100 million of the Dodgers’ total. The Philadelphia Phillies rank fourth in the league at $312.7 million, which is $100.8 million less than the Dodgers’ payroll. The 2026 series is the most expensive in MLB history, surpassing the previous record set in 2025 when the Mets and Dodgers combined for a $764 million payroll.#shohei_ohtani #los_angeles_dodgers #juan_soto #new_york_mets #kyle_tucker
Dominican Republic hits four HRs in WBC rout of Netherlands The Dominican Republic dominated the Netherlands with a 12-1 victory in seven innings Sunday, securing a double-digit lead that triggered the mercy rule in the World Baseball Classic. Juan Soto, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Junior Caminero, and Austin Wells each hit home runs, propelling the Dominican team to a commanding win in Group D play. The game concluded in the bottom of the seventh when Soto’s two-run blast extended the Dominican Republic’s lead to 12-1, marking the third instance of a mercy rule ending in the tournament. The Dominicans outscored their opponents 24-4 in their first two games at loanDepot Park, showcasing their offensive prowess. Starter Luis Severino pitched four innings, allowing one run and three hits while striking out five. The team’s offensive surge began in the fifth inning, where Caminero hit a three-run homer and Wells added a two-run blast. Marte’s sacrifice fly further expanded the lead to 10-1. Caminero’s second home run of the tournament reached an exit velocity of 115.8 mph, highlighting his power. The Dominican Republic struck early in the first inning, capitalizing on a two-run opportunity against Netherlands starter Arij Fransen. Guerrero’s RBI single and Marte’s unearned run from third on a throwing error by Xander Bogaerts gave the Dominicans an early 2-0 lead. Didi Gregorius narrowed the gap for the Netherlands with a solo homer in the second inning, but Guerrero’s two-run drive in the third made it 4-1. The Netherlands’ struggles continued as the Dominican Republic’s offense kept churning out runs. The team’s ability to capitalize on scoring chances and defensive errors proved decisive in the rout.#dominican_republic #world_baseball_classic #juan_soto #vladimir_guerrero_jr #junior_caminero
Mets’ Juan Soto reflects on hitting game-ending homer in Dominican Republic’s win over Netherlands Juan Soto of the New York Mets took pride in his game-winning home run during the Dominican Republic’s victory over the Netherlands in an international exhibition match. The moment, which secured a crucial win for his national team, marked a significant milestone in Soto’s career. Speaking about the achievement, Soto described it as “one of the most important and beautiful times in my career,” highlighting the emotional weight of the moment. The home run came in a pivotal moment of the game, with the Dominican Republic trailing in the late innings. Soto’s clutch hit not only tied the game but ultimately propelled his team to victory. The win was particularly meaningful for the Dominican Republic, as it showcased their competitive spirit on the global stage. Soto’s performance underscored his ability to deliver under pressure, a trait that has defined his career in Major League Baseball. Soto’s reflection on the moment emphasized the blend of personal achievement and team success. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent his country and the pride that comes with contributing to a collective victory. The game also served as a platform for Soto to connect with fans and teammates, reinforcing the camaraderie that defines international competition. The Dominican Republic’s win over the Netherlands was a testament to the team’s preparation and resilience. Soto’s home run became a focal point of the celebration, symbolizing the blend of skill, strategy, and determination that characterized the match. For Soto, the moment was a reminder of the impact athletes can have beyond the field, inspiring fans and fellow players alike.#netherlands #dominican_republic #juan_soto #new_york_mets #international_exhibition_match
