Lindor hits another leadoff homer, Mets beat Cubs 7-2

NEW YORK (AP) — Francisco Lindor led off with the first of New York's four solo homers and the Mets rolled to a 7-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Friday night in the opener of a three-game series.

Brett Baty and Jeff McNeil went deep in the second while Juan Soto homered in the fourth to help the Mets improve to 14-3 at Citi Field. Soto added an RBI single in the eighth.

Every starter had at least one hit for the Mets, who scored twice in the third when Brandon Nimmo and Francisco Alvarez came home after Dansby Swanson overthrew first base trying to double up the speedy Luisangel Acuña.

Clay Holmes (5-1), pitching the same night the first 15,000 fans received Holmes hockey jerseys, allowed three hits in six solid innings as he lowered his ERA to 2.74 over eight starts.

Kyle Tucker’s homer leading off the fourth was the first round-tripper surrendered this season by Holmes. The last Mets newcomer to go longer without allowing a homer was Orel Hershiser, who didn’t give up a homer in his first eight starts in 1999.

Michael Busch homered in the ninth.

Jameson Taillon (2-1) gave up six runs (five earned) on nine hits while throwing a season-high 100 pitches in a season-low four innings.

Lindor hit Taillon’s third pitch into the Mets’ bullpen in right for his fourth leadoff homer in 38 games this year. He’s just three homers shy of tying Curtis Granderson’s single-season franchise record, set over 144 starts in 2015 and tied over 139 starts in 2016.

The four homers allowed by Taillon were a career high and the most allowed by a Cubs pitcher since Jordan Wicks gave up four homers last Sept. 11.

RHP Cade Horton is expected to make his big league debut for the Cubs Saturday night. The Mets will counter with RHP Tylor Megill (3-2, 2.50 ERA).

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New York Mets' Tyrone Taylor (15) celebrates with teammates Brandon Nimmo (9) and Juan Soto (22) after a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Friday, May 9, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Mets' Juan Soto (22) gestures as he passes Chicago Cubs catcher Carson Kelly after hitting a home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 9, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Mets' Clay Holmes pitches during the second inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Friday, May 9, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Mets pitcher José Buttó celebrates after a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Friday, May 9, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Mets' Francisco Lindor (12) gestures to Juan Soto as he scores on a single by Soto during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Friday, May 9, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II announced Monday he is suspending his campaign for governor and instead joining the race for secretary of state of the battleground state.

Gilchrist, a progressive Democrat from Detroit, did not cite a specific reason for the change in his video announcement, but said he is not finished being a “public servant.” His departure clears up the Democratic primary and benefits the frontrunner, Jocelyn Benson, who is the current Secretary of State, in the race to replace term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

The secretary of state is Michigan's top election official, a highly politicized and visible role since the 2020 presidential election.

“Michigan has been ground zero in the battle for free and fair elections before, and it will be again,” Gilchrist said.

As Whitmer’s second in command and her running mate in two elections, Gilchrist struggled to match Benson’s name recognition and fundraising. He reported having around $378,000 of cash on hand as of October compared to Benson’s $2.98 million.

Benson is now set to face only Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson in the Democratic primary in August.

The inclusion of a well-known independent candidate has created a new problem for Democrats this year. Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is avoiding costly primaries altogether by running as an independent. The Michigan Democratic Party slammed the former Democrat last week for not standing up to President Donald Trump’s second term policies.

In the Republican primary, U.S. Rep. John James, former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox, state Senate Leader Aaric Nesbitt and former Michigan House speaker Tom Leonard are jockeying for the nomination.

In his bid to become secretary of state, Gilchrist will face four other Democrats: Barb Byrum, Ingham County clerk; Aghogho Edevbie, deputy secretary of state; Suzanna Shkreli, a former Whitmer aide and commissioner of the Michigan State Lottery; and Adam Hollier, a former state senator from Detroit.

Michigan does not hold primary elections for the secretary of state position; the nominee is chosen by precinct delegates during party conventions. The Michigan Democratic Party convention is scheduled for April 19.

State Republicans plan to hold their nominating convention March 28 and GOP figures chasing the party's nomination for secretary of state include Anthony Forlini, Macomb County Clerk, and Monica Yatooma, an Oakland County executive.

In addition to the office of the governor and secretary of state, Michigan voters will be selecting a new state attorney general and a U.S. senator in November.

FILE - Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II waits before the State of the State address, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, at the state Capitol in Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis, file)