Soto and Bichette go deep as slumping Mets break out at the plate in 8-0 win over Nationals

NEW YORK (AP) — Juan Soto hit a two-run homer that capped a seven-run fourth inning and the New York Mets breezed to an 8-0 victory over the Washington Nationals on Tuesday night.

Bo Bichette also homered and drove in two runs, and Clay Holmes combined with two relievers on a three-hitter as the banged-up Mets (10-19) won for only the third time in 18 games — perhaps taking a little heat off manager Carlos Mendoza.

Before the game, Mendoza said Soto is dealing with left forearm tightness. An MRI came back clean, but the left fielder has been the designated hitter in all six games since he returned last Wednesday from a right calf strain.

The homer was Soto's second this season and first since the calf injury sidelined him for 15 games. In the second season of a record $765 million contract, the star slugger felt tightness while throwing prior to games Friday and Sunday.

Bichette launched a leadoff homer against Zack Littell (0-4) and added a sacrifice fly in the fourth, New York's biggest inning all year.

The Mets totaled four runs last weekend in a three-game sweep by Colorado at Citi Field. They began the day last in the majors in runs and OPS.

New York caught a break with one out in the fourth when Marcus Semien’s bases-loaded bouncer to third skipped under the glove of Jorbit Vivas for a two-base error, allowing MJ Melendez and Mark Vientos to score.

Carson Benge followed with a two-run single to make it 5-0.

Holmes (3-2) gave up three hits and struck out six in six innings, lowering his ERA to 1.75. Tobias Myers pitched two innings and Craig Kimbrel fanned all three batters in the ninth.

Littell permitted all eight runs, four earned, in 3 2/3 innings.

The Mets became the last team to play a division opponent. New York’s first 28 games consisted of nine against the NL Central, 12 against the NL West and six interleague contests.

Nationals RHP Cade Cavalli (0-1, 4.01 ERA) pitches Wednesday night against Mets LHP David Peterson (0-3, 5.06), who returns to the rotation after 10 days in the bullpen.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

New York Mets' Bo Bichette (19) runs the bases during a home run in the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

New York Mets celebrate their 8-0 win against the Washington Nationals after a baseball game, Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

New York Mets' Ronny Mauricio (0) Juan Soto (22) celebrate scoring on Soto's two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

New York Mets' Juan Soto (22) celebrates scoring a two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

New York Mets' Juan Soto (22) spits out a seed as he scores a two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

ATLANTA (AP) — Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Casey Mize and center fielder Javier Báez both left Tuesday night's 5-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves because of injuries.

Mize exited in the third inning with right groin tightness.

“It was kind of a gradual tightening,” Mize said. “We did some tests between innings and felt good enough to go back out there, but it just never really went away.”

The right-hander covered first base on a ground ball to first baseman Spencer Torkelson and recorded the out, then met with trainers on the field before leaving. There was no collision at first base.

In the fifth, Báez left with an injured right foot that he suffered on a groundout to shortstop. Báez was trying to beat a high throw to first base, hit the bag awkwardly with his left foot and then his right foot folded under his leg as he fell. He was carted off after being evaluated but was not placed in an air cast.

Báez said he turned his ankle after getting stuck in the dirt trying to avoid the tag. He will have an MRI Wednesday and said his ankle felt better after he got treatment during the game. He was not using crutches in the clubhouse.

Mize threw 34 pitches and left the game trailing 1-0. He was replaced by Brant Hurter, who gave up a sacrifice fly that scored a run charged to Mize.

Mize allowed three hits, two runs and one walk while striking out three in 2 1/3 innings. He entered having given up one run or fewer in four of his five starts, and Tuesday's short outing increased his ERA to 2.90.

Mize was an All-Star with the Tigers last season, when he went 14-6 with a 3.86 ERA.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Casey Mize (12) delivers to an Atlanta Braves batter during the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)