Luis Robert’s return to the South Side of Chicago to play his former team has been eventful for him and the New York Mets. White Sox fans met him with some boos on Friday night while New York lost the opener of the series on a walk-off home run. On Saturday, Robert let his bat do the talking with two home runs in a 10-5 Mets win. Carson Benge, Bo Bichette, and Luis Torrens also homered. Christian Scott started for the Mets, but it was the bullpen that picked up a challenging start for the Mets’ young right-hander. The Mets are now 59-71.

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Luis Robert’s Power Shows in Chicago

While in Chicago, Robert’s talent and potential were never a question. It was health and staying consistent. The Mets took a chance on him in the offseason, and unfortunately, Robert missed more time due to injury. For Robert, it’s key to finish the season strong, and on Saturday, he was big against his former team. In the top of the third inning with the Mets up 2-1, Robert took a Luis Castillo fastball to the opposite field for a two-run home run to extend the Mets’ lead. The ball was hit at 108.8 MPH.

Then, in the top of the seventh inning, Robert put the cherry on top of a big night with a monstrous solo home run off former Mets pitcher Huascar Brazoban. That gave the Mets an 8-5 lead. So far in his return to Chicago, Robert has three hits, two home runs, and has been on base four times in this series. 

Benge Hits the Wall, Then Hits One Over the Wall

Carson Benge has been the Mets’ hottest hitter as of late and is continuing to make his case for National League Rookie of the Year. Benge showed some toughness and resilience during the win. In the bottom of the third inning, Tristan Peters hit a fly ball deep to right field. Benge moved back and leaped to catch it, but he hit the wall face-first, and the ball went over the wall for a home run due to the momentum. The Mets checked on Benge, and he stayed in the game and continued to play.

Later, Benge faced the left-hander Tyler Schweitzer in the top of the fifth inning, and he hit his 16th home run of the season over the right-field wall. 105.5 off the bat of Benge. It was part of a three-hit day for the Mets rookie, including an RBI single in the top of the first inning to give the Mets an early lead. 

Mets Bullpen Picks Up Scott 

It wasn’t the prettiest outing for Scott. He struggled with command of his sweeper and only went 4 2/3 innings pitched and allowed four earned runs and walked four. He left the game after allowing a run to score on a bases-loaded walk, and Jonathan Pintaro came in to try and limit the damage. Pintaro struck out Colson Montgomery to get out of it. After Pintaro allowed a home run to Sam Antonacci in the bottom of the sixth, it was Austin Warren‘s turn. Warren allowed no runs in 1 2/3 innings and was the winning pitcher. 

Dedniel Nunez pitched a scoreless eighth inning, which set the stage for more Kodai Senga in the ninth. Once again for Senga, it was a tough outing, even with a 10-5 lead. Senga labored through the inning by allowing a walk and a hit to begin. However, he battled, got Braden Montgomery swinging for a strikeout, followed by striking out Colson Montgomery. Senga got a groundout from Chase Meidroth to close it out for the Mets.

Player of the Game: Luis Robert

Robert delivered the keynote for the Mets with his two home runs in the game.

On Deck

The Mets will start Nolan McLean for the Mets on Sunday afternoon. The White Sox have yet to name a starter. The game will start at 2:10 pm EDT and will be televised locally on SNY and broadcast on WHSQ 880AM.