The New York Mets (18-25) erased an early three-run deficit with a power-packed response Thursday afternoon, slugging five home runs in a 9-4 win over the Detroit Tigers (19-25) at Citi Field to complete a three-game series sweep. After falling behind 3-0 in the opening inning, the Mets stormed back behind another breakout performance from rookie A.J. Ewing and a gritty seven-inning outing from Nolan McLean.
Ewing sparked the turnaround in the third inning, hammering the first home run of his major league career over the right-field wall at 110.5 mph to cut the deficit to 3-1. One inning later, Brett Baty tied the game with a two-run shot after MJ Melendez worked a walk.
The Mets seized control in the fifth. Carson Benge singled and stole second before Juan Soto lined a go-ahead RBI single up the middle. Moments later, Mark Vientos crushed a two-run homer deep into the left-field seats to stretch the lead to 6-3.
New York kept adding on from there. Hayden Senger executed a successful squeeze bunt in the sixth, Soto launched a solo homer in the seventh, and Marcus Semien capped the scoring with a leadoff blast off the foul pole in the eighth.
McLean battled through traffic most of the afternoon after surrendering a first-inning three-run homer to Gage Workman. The rookie settled in to deliver seven innings, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out seven. He ended his outing in emphatic fashion, recording back-to-back strikeouts in the seventh before walking off the mound with a scream and fist pump.
Ewing also made history, becoming the first player in Mets history to record a triple and a home run as his first two career hits.
The Mets welcome the New York Yankees to Citi Field on Friday for the opening game of the Subway Series. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. as Clay Holmes faces Cam Schlittler.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].