Carson Benge played a crucial role in the New York Mets’ 7-3 victory over the Padres in San Diego on Sunday, helping the team take the series and finish their road trip splitting the six games. Although they remain at the bottom of the National League East, this win improves the Mets’ record to 29-36, marking another step in their journey towards .500. With this victory, the Mets have won seven of their last 10 games.
The standout player of the game was, in fact, Benge, who notched an impressive 5-for-5 performance, including a triple and a home run. He drove in two runs and scored three himself. On May 2, Benge’s batting average was .179, but he has had a strong rebound over the past few weeks, raising his average to .265. He joins Francisco Lindor and Alex Ochoa as the only Mets players to record a five-hit game that includes a home run and a triple.
Other Mets players also contributed offensively in this game. Notably, Marcus Semien, who hit a home run in the top of the second inning, put the Mets ahead by two runs. This marked his second consecutive game with a home run, and it was also his third home run of the road trip. Jared Young continued his excellent play at the plate by driving in a run with a bases-loaded single in the fifth inning, followed by a sacrifice fly from A.J. Ewing that extended the Mets’ lead to 4-0. Juan Soto was thrown out at third base on Ewing’s sacrifice fly, but contributed an RBI groundout in the first inning.
MJ Melendez added to the score with a home run to right field in the top of the sixth and, before that, made a spectacular diving catch in left field during the bottom of the second inning. Another defensive highlight came from Ewing, who sprinted from right center to left center in the bottom of the eighth to help Luke Weaver escape a jam with two runners on.
Weaver, along with Huascar Brazobán, Brooks Raley, and A.J. Minter, kept the Padres scoreless from the bullpen. Between Brazobán and Raley, Sean Manaea had a solid appearance for the Mets as the bulk pitcher, going four innings while allowing four hits and two runs, with one walk and three strikeouts. Devin Williams, who hadn’t pitched in about a week, closed the game for New York, even though he gave up a run on a late double from Met killer Freddy Fermin.
Player of the Game: Carson Benge
Carson Benge’s resurgence is in full swing, as his impressive performance has provided the Mets with a much-needed boost. Sunday, against San Diego, he recorded five hits, including a home run and a triple, continuing his sensational run. Benge’s contributions were crucial for the Mets’ offense, and he joins a select group of players who have achieved five hits in a single game for the team.
On Deck
The Mets have an off-day on Monday but will return to action on Tuesday at Citi Field to begin a three-game homestand against the St. Louis Cardinals. Freddy Peralta (4-4, 3.63 ERA) will look to continue the Mets’ winning ways on the mound while he is opposed by Dustin May (3-6, 4.59 ERA) for the Cardinals. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 pm ET and will be broadcast on SNY and Mets Radio 880 AM.
