Meet the Mets
The Mets defeated the Padres 7-3 to secure the series victory in San Diego to cap off this West Coast road trip. Carson Benge went 5-for-5 with a home run, a triple, two RBIs, and three runs scored, becoming just the fourth rookie in franchise history to have a five-hit game that included a home run. The Mets built an early four-run lead, which the Padres cut to 4-2 thanks to a Freddy Fermin homer off Sean Manaea, who pitched behind opener Huascar Brazobán. But the Mets piled on the insurance runs against
the Padres bullpen, including solo homers by Benge and MJ Melendez in the sixth.
Choose your recap: Amazin’ Avenue, MLB.com, Newsday, New York Daily News, New York Post, The Athletic
The Mets have played 22 of their first 65 games in the Pacific or Mountain time zones, making for a brutal early travel schedule. That part of the schedule is finally behind them, but the quality of their opposition is increasing this month, as they see the National League East rival Braves and Phillies for the first time in 2026.
On Mets Mailbag on SNY, Keith Hernandez talked about Brett Baty’s struggles hitting the fastball and why it is having cascading effects.
The Mets are reshaping Jonah Tong to help him find consistent success in the big leagues as a starter, including lowering his arm angle and tweaking his arsenal.
Around the National League East
Michael Harris II delivered a clutch seventh inning bases-clearing double to help the Braves overcome a two-run deficit and beat the Pirates 3-2, completing a series sweep.
Brandon Marsh homered in his third straight game, as the Phillies beat the White Sox 9-5.
After former top prospect Andrew Painter’s struggles continued on Saturday, Phillies manager Don Mattingly was asked whether the team is consider skipping his turn in the rotation next time through. “Not really,” said Mattingly. “I think the situation we’re in with our starters, we don’t sit here with four or five guys in Triple-A that you can bring up at any time and fill in a spot. We want to make sure we take care of all our starters with those off-days.”
Sandy Alcantara pitched seven brilliant innings in the Marlins’ 4-1 victory over the Rays.
Michael Soroka kept the powerful Nationals offense at bay, as Washington fell to the Diamondbacks 5-1, unable to complete the series sweep in Arizona.
Around Major League Baseball
It used to be that MLB pitchers went to Asia at the end of their careers for one last paycheck. Now, stints in Japan or Korea are revitalizing careers.
Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com ran down 14 eye-popping stats that are defining the 2026 season so far, including the Mets’ historically low stolen base success rate—just one year after they posted a historically high figure in the same category.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today urges teams—including the Mets, who currently roster Freddy Peralta—to not be afraid to act early this trading deadline, citing the CC Sabathia deal as a template. In the piece, Nightengale also reports that Peralta is seeking an eight-year deal in free agency, similar to that of Max Fried.
Just one month after surgery to address a loose body in his elbow, Tarik Skubal pitched five scoreless innings in a rehab assignment.
This Date in Mets History
The Mets drafted Nolan Ryan in the tenth round in the first ever MLB draft on this date in 1965.
