NEW YORK — Juan Soto hit a pair of home runs, and the New York Mets finally got some production from the bottom of their lineup while beating the Atlanta Braves 7-3 on Wednesday night, their first victory over their National League East Division rivals in six meetings this season.
No. 8 batter Ronny Mauricio also went deep and finished with three hits as New York won for only the second time in 12 games. Center fielder Jeff McNeil robbed Atlanta designated Marcell Ozuna of a two-run homer in the first inning.
Clay Holmes (8-4) pitched around four walks in five innings after issuing a career-high six free passes during a loss last week at Atlanta’s Truist Park, where the Braves swept a three-game series. Wednesday at Citi Field, the 32-year-old converted reliever from Alabama allowed only a solo homer by rookie Drake Baldwin in the fourth.
With two on in the fifth, Holmes retired Ozuna and Austin Riley to end the inning.
One night after blowing a 3-0 lead, New York’s bullpen followed Holmes with three scoreless innings. Jonathan Pintaro, making his MLB debut, gave up a two-run single to Ronald Acuña Jr. in the ninth before Edwin Díaz retired Ozuna with two on for his 16th save in 17 opportunities.