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)

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Police charged a third suspect on Friday with an arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue that was allegedly directed by Iran.

The 20-year-old man was one of three masked offenders who broke into the Adass Israel Synagogue, doused the interior with flammable liquid then set it alight in the early hours of Dec. 6, 2024, a police statement alleged.

The fire caused extensive damage to the synagogue and a worshipper sustained minor injuries.

The Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team, which brings together federal and state police with a spy agency, charged the man, who has not been named, with offenses including arson.

He was charged in a Melbourne jail where he was already being held in custody on unrelated offenses. Police declined to elaborate on those offenses.

His co-accused Giovanni Laulu, 21, was arrested in July last year and another suspect, Younes Ali Younes, 20, was arrested a month later.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last year accused Iran’s Revolutionary Guard of directing the synagogue fire and an arson attack two months earlier at a Sydney kosher eatery, Lewis’ Continental Kitchen.

Mike Burgess, director-general of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, the nation’s main domestic spy agency, said the Revolutionary Guard used a “complex web of proxies to hide its involvement” in both antisemitic attacks.

Iran’s ambassador to Australia and another three Iranian diplomats were expelled. Tehran has denied Australia’s allegations.

Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Peter Crozier told reporters on Friday that investigators were working with international partners in the continuing investigation.

Police were also investigating whether the three alleged arsonists knew who ordered the attack.

“They may not actually be aware of the people who are directing or the principals of these investigations. That remains a key line of inquiry for us,” Crozier said.

Victoria Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Paul O’Halloran said police had informed the local Jewish community of the third arrest before the news was made public.

“Our heart goes out to them. Again, this brings back this terrible incident,” O’Halloran said.

“People deserve the right to feel safe and be safe in their community and particularly at their place of worship. Today's charges are a strong testament to this,” he added.

The latest suspect will make his first court appearance on the new charges next week.

The Australian government has established a public inquiry to investigate a rise in antisemitism across the country, including the killing of 15 people when two gunmen opened fire on a Sydney Hanukkah celebration in December.

People gather outside the Adass Israel Synagogue, Dec. 9, 2024, after a firebombing in Melbourne, Australia. (Con Chronis/AAP Image via AP)