Juan Soto’s Home Run Powers Mets to Win Over Twins

MINNEAPOLIS — Juan Soto‘s powerful two-run home run helped propel the New York Mets to a 5-1 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Monday night at Target Field. This win allows the Mets to improve their season record to 11-5, marking their ninth victory in their last 11 games.

Soto, who was struggling early in the season, finally found his power stroke in the seventh inning, blasting a hanging changeup from Twins reliever Jorge Alcala over the 23-foot wall in right-center field. It was Soto’s first home run since just the second game of the season, breaking a 13-game stretch without a long ball. “I was seeing the pitches well,” Soto said. “I was taking my swings on the fastball and taking those changeups and sliders down below. I was seeing everything, so that’s why I felt that good.”

Despite his earlier struggles, Soto’s efforts in the game were crucial. He marked his first multi-RBI game since joining the Mets, bringing his total to six RBIs through 16 games. Soto’s batting line for the season stands at .250/.400/.420. He has walked 14 times and scored 13 runs, contributing significantly to the Mets’ offensive lineup. “Having Juan, Francisco, and anybody else who decides to have a good at-bat get on base, it’s great,” said teammates such as Pete Alonso.

Alonso himself was instrumental in the game as well, reaching base in all four of his appearances. He went 2-for-2, with two walks, one RBI, and one run scored. Alonso opened the scoring with an RBI single in the third inning and scored what proved to be the winning run in the sixth. His season totals now include 19 RBIs, which ranks second in the National League and third in Major League Baseball, with a slashing stat of .345/.464/.673.

New Mets rookie Luisangel Acuña also shone during the game, delivering strong offensive contributions from the No. 9 spot in the lineup. Acuña scored the first run after drawing a walk and stealing second base, later adding an opposite-field double and a bunting single to his stat line. “Every time we get contributions from the bottom of the lineup, it helps us win baseball games,” Mets manager Mendoza said.

On the pitching side, Clay Holmes started well but struggled in the fifth inning, allowing the Twins to equalize after three consecutive batters reached base. Holmes struck out eight batters, raising his season total to 28. “I had the changeup working, I was in competitive, good spots with the sinker…sometimes you try to almost push through it too much when you kind of have to pull back a little bit,” Holmes reflected.

Despite Soto’s slower start to the season, he emphasized the importance of team play over individual performance. He stated, “I’m not trying to hit a homer at all. We’re trying to play team baseball right here. Whenever I gotta take my walks, I’m gonna take my walks.” Soto’s comments underscore the collective mindset of the team as they strive for success early in the 2025 season.