Soto Homers Twice, Powers Mets Past Phillies 6-4

Juan Soto delivered a standout performance with two solo home runs and a spectacular sliding catch, leading the New York Mets to a 6-4 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday night. The win extended the Mets' momentum and handed the Phillies their second consecutive loss, their first back-to-back defeat since mid-May.

The game remained tight until the seventh inning, when pinch-hitter Eric Wagaman broke a 4-4 tie with a two-out single. Marcus Semien followed with a two-run triple off Phillies reliever José Alvarado (3-2), providing the decisive margin. New York starter Sean Manaea exited after allowing four runs, but Huascar Brazobán (4-1) earned the win in relief.

Soto launched his homers off Phillies ace Aaron Nola in his first two at-bats, bringing his season total to 16 and marking his 30th career multihomer game. He also made a game-saving defensive play in the third inning, lunging and sliding on the warning track in left field to rob Bryce Harper of an extra-base hit. In the ninth, closer Devin Williams allowed an RBI single to Justin Crawford but got Kyle Schwarber to line out with two runners on to secure his 11th save.

Bo Bichette, making his first appearance in Philadelphia since signing with the Mets last offseason, was met with boos from the crowd and went 0-for-5, snapping a streak of six consecutive multihit games. Phillies shortstop Trea Turner exited after the second inning with a bruised right calf after being hit by a pitch from Manaea; it was the second time this week Turner left a game after being hit.

Alec Bohm contributed a single, double, and two RBIs for Philadelphia, but the Phillies could not overcome the Mets' late surge. The teams will continue their series on Saturday after a rare Friday off due to a World Cup match in Philadelphia. Right-hander Freddy Peralta (5-5, 3.90 ERA) is scheduled to start for New York against left-hander Cristopher Sánchez (8-3, 1.82 ERA).