Mets’ Ryan Helsley Delivers as Juan Soto Reaches 42 Homers

The New York Mets kept their late-season momentum alive with a wild 12-6 win over the Washington Nationals on Friday night. Juan Soto hammered a historic home run, and Francisco Lindor put on a show of his own, driving the Mets’ offense. Newly acquired reliever Ryan Helsley, along with the bullpen, locked things down late.

This win marked another notch against a familiar rival and kept New York in control of the final National League wild-card spot.

Juan Soto’s Career-High Power Display

Juan Soto added to his growing legend by smashing his career-high 42nd home run—a three-run shot in the fourth inning that sent Citi Field into chaos. Only Pete Alonso has ever hit as many in a single Mets season.

The Impact of Soto’s Historic Blast

Soto’s homer didn’t just add runs—it flipped the game’s momentum. The Nationals had threatened early, but his blast gave the Mets some room to breathe. Brandon Nimmo may have put it best, calling Soto’s effortless power “awe-inspiring.”

Francisco Lindor’s All-Around Brilliance

Soto might’ve grabbed the spotlight, but Francisco Lindor arguably had the most complete night. He went 3-for-5, scored four times, and created chaos on the bases by pouncing on Nationals mistakes.

How Lindor Sparked the Mets’ Offense

Lindor’s mix of smart baserunning and clutch hitting frustrated the Nationals all evening. His aggression kept the pressure on, turning potential outs into extra runs. That kind of spark in a must-win September game? It’s just huge.

Ryan Helsley’s Redemption Arc

Ryan Helsley’s seventh inning didn’t have the fireworks of a home run, but it mattered just as much. He came in with the Mets up 8-6 and retired the side in order—maybe his sharpest outing since joining the team at the trade deadline.

From Pitch Tipping to Precision

Helsley struggled early with mechanical tweaks and pitch-tipping. Now he’s strung together three scoreless outings, maybe finding his groove at the perfect time. Manager Carlos Mendoza praised his composure, saying he could become a real weapon in tight games.

Dominant Bullpen Performance

The Mets’ bullpen completely shut the door after the starters left. They retired 11 straight Nationals, leaving no room for a comeback.

• Ryan Helsley: Three up, three down in the seventh to bridge to the late innings.
• Brooks Raley: Turned in another clean frame, just steady as always.
• Ryne Stanek: Let his fastball eat, overpowering hitters.
• Tyler Rogers: Finished it off with his funky sidearm delivery.

NL Wild Card Battle Heats Up

This win mattered even more with the Reds beating the Cubs. The Mets held onto their two-game cushion for the last National League wild-card spot. Every victory feels bigger as the season ticks down.

Home Dominance Over Washington

Friday’s win made it 11 straight over the Nationals at Citi Field. That kind of psychological edge? It might just matter if these teams meet again when it counts.

Looking Ahead

Soto’s bat keeps heating up. Lindor’s out there setting the tone for everyone else.

The bullpen looks steadier than it has all season. If Helsley stays sharp and the relievers keep locking it down, the Mets could do more than just sneak into the playoffs.

They might actually make some noise when they get there. Wouldn’t that be something?

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Here is the source article for this story: Mets get the Ryan Helsley they need on night Juan Soto hits career-best 42nd homer