Juan Soto mashes career-best 42nd homer as Mets roll past Nationals, 12-6

James O'Connell, New York Daily News on Sep 19, 2025

Published in Baseball

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NEW YORK — The postseason looks more likely by the day for the Mets.

Juan Soto‘s three-run shot in the bottom of the fourth capped off a six-run inning that gave the Mets a lead they never looked back from in their 12-6 win over the Nationals. Soto’s 42nd home run of the season — a new career-high — sent Citi Field into a frenzy and after a slow start, his first season with the Mets is turning out to be one of the best of his career.

Francisco Alvarez added a two-run double in the fourth and Francisco Lindor added an RBI single. Lindor registered a three-hit night as he was one of five Mets to have a multi-hit game — Soto, Brandon Nimmo, Pete Alonso and Starling Marte were the others.

Brandon Sproat got the start for Mets manager Carlos Mendoza’s squad and had a bit of a rough outing. The rookie tossed four innings, allowing four runs on four hits while striking out five. It was Sproat’s third outing of his career and first since his stellar performance against the Texas Rangers on Sept. 13.

C.J. Abrams' homer in the top of the fifth off of Huascar Brazoban cut the Mets’ lead to 8-6, but the bullpen was perfect after that as Brooks Raley, Ryne Stanek, Ryan Helsley, Tyler Rogers and Chris Devinski combined for 4 2/3 innings without allowing a baserunner.

The Mets poured on some insurance in the bottom of the eighth as Luisangel Acuna walked with the bases loaded to score Lindor before Nimmo’s two-RBI single extended their lead to 12-6

The Mets will take on the Nationals in the second of a three-game series on Saturday afternoon. They will enter with a 1.5-game lead over the Cincinnati Reds for the final NL wild-card spot.

Nolan McLean will take the mound against Cade Cavalli for the Nats. McLean will look to continue his stellar debut season as he enters the game with a 1.20 ERA in six career MLB starts.