Juan Soto's homer leads Mets to 6-3 win that keeps Phillies from taking over top NL wild-card spot

NEW YORK (AP) — Juan Soto hit a three-run homer and the New York Mets kept the Philadelphia Phillies from gaining ground in the National League wild-card race with a 6-3 victory Friday night.

Edmundo Sosa went 3 for 3 with a home run and a double for the Phillies (85-69), who remained tied with the Cubs for the top two wild-card spots after Chicago lost 6-4 to Cincinnati. Both teams began the day one game ahead of the San Diego Padres, who were scheduled to host Miami later Friday.

Derek Hill also went deep and Bryson Stott had an RBI double for Philadelphia.

Soto also doubled and finished with three hits. A.J. Ewing’s two-run single capped a three-run first inning for the last-place Mets, who ended a five-game losing streak — their longest under interim manager Andy Green. Carson Benge had an RBI single in the first and reached base three times.

Francisco Lindor remained at 299 career homers after going 2 for 5 with a double.

Rookie left-hander Zac Thornton (5-5) allowed two runs and five hits in six innings. He struck out four and walked one. Thornton has permitted two runs or fewer eight times in 14 big league starts.

Dedniel Núñez got four outs for his second career save and first since July 13, 2024.

José Urquidy tossed 4 2/3 innings of scoreless bulk relief in his Phillies debut. Urquidy, designated for assignment by the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday, was claimed off waivers Thursday.

Phillies opener Tim Mayza (3-4) was charged with three runs. He threw 33 pitches but recorded just one out — the shortest outing by a Philadelphia starter since Cristopher Sánchez got only one out against the Washington Nationals on July 29, 2021.

The Mets will retire the No. 15 jersey worn by Hall of Fame center fielder Carlos Beltrán on Saturday before RHP Christian Scott (4-5, 3.76 ERA) opposes Phillies RHP Andrew Painter (3-9, 5.54).

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Philadelphia Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly, second from left, pulls pitcher Tim Mayza, left, out of the game during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Mets pitcher Zac Thornton throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Mets' Juan Soto celebrates his three-run home run in the dugout during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Mets' Juan Soto looks after his three-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Mets' A.J. Ewing reacts after hitting a two-run double during the first inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Roman Anthony homered and drove in three runs and the Boston Red Sox took a big step toward clinching an American League playoff spot with a 4-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night.

The Red Sox, who entered Friday with a magic number of three, could secure a wild-card spot as early as Saturday.

Junior Caminero and Jonathan Aranda drove in runs for the postseason-bound Rays. They had won six in a row.

Anthony hit the game’s third pitch from Ian Seymour (9-7) into the right-field seats for his third career leadoff homer. Then, in the second inning, Anthony broke a 1-1 tie and drove in two more runs with a two-out single.

Jahmai Jones gave Boston a 4-1 advantage with his own solo homer to lead off the third. Caleb Durbin added two hits for the Red Sox, who own the American League’s third-best record (84-70), behind the Rays and Yankees.

Red Sox starter Ranger Suarez (8-4) threw 5 2/3 innings, allowing three hits and one run with five walks and five strikeouts. He also snared Taylor Walls’ 100-mph liner in the fourth, before completing an inning-ending double play.

Tampa Bay couldn’t capitalize on multiple opportunities, including nine Red Sox walks. The Rays left the bases loaded in the sixth and ninth, when Erik Miller retired Chandler Simpson on a game-ending grounder. Tampa Bay was 0 for 13 with runners in scoring position.

Boston left-hander Erik Miller had his fifth save despite a shaky ninth inning, including three wild pitches and two walks.

Tampa Bay RHP Freddy Peralta (9-11, 4.67 ERA) was set to start Saturday. Boston had yet to announce a starter.

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Boston Red Sox third baseman Caleb Durbin (5) catches a pop out by Tampa Bay Rays' Liam Hicks during the eighth inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Boston Red Sox's Greg Weissert pitches to the Tampa Bay Rays during the seventh inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Boston Red Sox left fielder Roman Anthony celebrates with third baseman Caleb Durbin (5) after the team defeated the Tampa Bay Rays during a baseball game Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Boston Red Sox's Trevor Story, left, and Caleb Durbin celebrate after scoring on a two-run single by Roman Anthony off Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Ian Seymour during the second inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Boston Red Sox's Roman Anthony watches his two-run single off Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Ian Seymour during the second inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)