Full Breakdown
Juan Soto’s Seventh-Inning Blast Helps Mets Avoid Sweep of Cardinals
6/12/2026, 10:06:51 PM
Series Context and Recent Form
The New York Mets entered Thursday’s game with a 29-38 record, while the St. Louis Cardinals stood at 37-28. The Cardinals had won six straight games overall and six of their last seven meetings with New York, positioning them to complete a three-game sweep at Citi Field. The Mets, meanwhile, were coming off a three-game losing streak and had seen key players such as outfielder Luis Robert Jr. placed on the 60-day injured list after a lumbar disc herniation; Robert indicated he expects to return during the 2026 season. The injury, along with absences of Francisco Lindor and Jorge Polanco, had accelerated a youth movement in the Mets’ lineup.
Game Timeline and Key Plays
- Top 1st: Alec Burleson opened the scoring with a two-out solo home run, giving St. Louis a 1-0 lead.
- Bottom 1st: Bo Bichette responded with a two-run homer, followed by Jared Young’s solo shot, putting the Mets ahead 3-1.
- Top 2nd: Lars Nootbaar hit a solo homer, and Jimmy Crooks delivered a two-run blast, swinging the lead to the Cardinals, 4-3.
- Bottom 5th: Jared Young’s RBI single tied the game at 4-4.
- Bottom 7th: Juan Soto, batting as the designated hitter, struck a solo home run off reliever JoJo Romero (0-2), giving New York a 5-4 advantage that held for the remainder of the contest.
Mets starter Christian Scott (2-0, 2.50 ERA) allowed four runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings, striking out six. Cardinals starter Hunter Dobbins (1-0, 2.77 ERA) yielded three runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings before being replaced by Justin Bruihl after facing a single batter in the fifth. Brooks Raley (2-1) delivered a scoreless seventh, and Devin Williams recorded his ninth save with a perfect ninth inning.
Standout Performances and Statistics
- Juan Soto finished 2-for-4 and recorded his 14th season homer, the sixth of the game.
- Bo Bichette and Jared Young each added a home run; Young also produced the game’s only non-home-run RBI.
- Alec Burleson extended his hitting streak to 11 games.
- Lars Nootbaar’s 445-foot solo shot was the longest home run of the night.
- The announced attendance was 37,019; the temperature at game time was 91 °F with an 8 mph wind blowing out to right.
Impact and Immediate Outlook
The 5-4 victory halted the Cardinals’ attempt at a sweep and improved the Mets’ record to 30-38, keeping them within striking distance of a .500 mark. For St. Louis, the loss ended a six-game winning streak and left the team to continue a six-game road trip, opening against the Minnesota Twins on Friday. New York’s next series begins on Saturday against the Atlanta Braves, with Nolan McLean (3-4, 3.98 ERA) slated to start.
Upcoming Schedule
- Cardinals: RHP Kyle Leahy (5-3, 4.42 ERA) versus the Twins on Friday.
- Mets: RHP Nolan McLean (3-4, 3.98 ERA) versus the Atlanta Braves on Saturday, marking the start of a three-game series.
The game’s nine total runs matched the betting line’s over/under of 9, underscoring the offensive balance that defined the contest.
