Brett Baty Powers Mets to 8-3 Win Over Padres

The New York Mets put on a show at Citi Field on Tuesday night, overpowering the San Diego Padres with an 8-3 win. The game felt over almost as soon as it started, thanks to a wild five-run first inning.

The home crowd got what they came for—power. The Mets launched four home runs, with Brett Baty’s two-run blast leading the way. Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, and Cedric Mullins all joined the home run parade. New York kept scrapping for postseason positioning in the tight National League wild-card race.

Mets Explode Early to Set the Tone

The Mets wasted no time attacking Padres starter Michael King, who just couldn’t find his footing. King, coming off shoulder and knee injuries, gave up eight runs and 10 hits in only three innings—his toughest outing of the season.

Baty’s Homer Headlines First-Inning Barrage

Brett Baty capped the first-inning chaos with a two-run homer—his second in 23 games. Brandon Nimmo chipped in with an RBI single, and Jeff McNeil ripped a two-run double. Nearly every Mets hitter found a way to contribute.

Home Run Milestones for Alonso and Soto

One of the night’s big stories? Pete Alonso’s 35th homer of the season. Paired with Juan Soto’s 40, it’s the first time since 2006 that two Mets teammates both reached at least 35 home runs in a season. That’s a pretty serious power surge in the middle of the order.

Lindor and Mullins Join the Party

Francisco Lindor added a solo shot of his own. Cedric Mullins showed off his power with a drive as well. The Mets spread the power around, making life tough for a Padres team that leans on its starters to keep games close.

Padres Unable to Mount a Comeback

The Padres flashed some offense, hitting three solo home runs. But they couldn’t chip away at the early deficit. The Mets’ bullpen and defense clamped down and kept San Diego from mounting a real rally.

Merrill, Cronenworth, and Fermin Go Deep

Jackson Merrill, Jake Cronenworth, and Freddy Fermin all homered for San Diego. Unfortunately for them, every shot came with the bases empty, so the Mets’ lead never really felt threatened.

Mets Pitching Holds the Line

Clay Holmes started for New York, working four innings and giving up two homers. Sean Manaea came in and steadied things, tossing five innings of one-run ball to grab the win. Manaea’s ability to eat innings kept the bullpen fresh for the rest of the series. That’s huge with the playoff race heating up.

Breaking the Skid

This win gave the Mets back-to-back victories for the first time in two weeks. It snapped an eight-game losing streak—their longest since 2018. They needed this one, no question.

The Wild-Card Picture

The National League wild-card race is still a logjam, and the Mets’ win keeps them in the thick of it. New York sits 1 1/2 games ahead of Arizona, clinging to a postseason spot in a crowded field. The Padres, even after the loss, still hold the second wild-card spot, four games ahead of the Mets.

What’s Next

Both teams know how much is at stake right now. For the Mets, keeping the bats hot will be key. San Diego’s got to regroup, reset the rotation, and hope the lineup bounces back. Every at-bat in this series feels like it matters more than the last.

Key Takeaways from the Mets’ Victory

Tuesday’s win wasn’t just another game — it was a statement.

Here’s what stood out:

• Early offense pays off: Scoring five runs in the first inning set the tone for the entire night.
• Power display: Four home runs, including milestones for Alonso and Soto, fueled the attack.
• Bullpen reliability: Manaea came in for long relief, limited the damage, and kept the Padres from rallying.
• Skid snapped: The Mets finally broke an eight-game losing streak and kept pace in the playoff race.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Baty leads power surge as Mets beat Padres 8-3 in series opener between NL playoff contenders