Mark Vientos put on a show at the plate, crushing two home runs and driving in four runs to lead the New York Mets to a 5-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday. It was a much-needed win for the Mets, who took two of three in the series—only their second series win since April 7.
Right-hander Clay Holmes was sharp on the mound, allowing just one run over 6 2/3 innings while scattering four hits and striking out six. Holmes improved to 4-2 on the season, giving the Mets the stability they needed after a tough stretch. New York's last series win before this came against the Minnesota Twins from April 21-23.
The Mets had to shuffle their lineup due to injuries. Shortstop Francisco Lindor is on the injured list with a calf strain, and Ronny Mauricio joined him after fracturing his left thumb on Saturday. That opened the door for Bo Bichette to step in at shortstop for Sunday's game.
The Angels struck first in the opening inning. Zach Neto and Mike Trout drew walks against Holmes, and Jorge Soler delivered a one-out RBI single to center field, giving Los Angeles a 1-0 lead. But the Mets answered in the fourth inning when Vientos launched a towering two-run homer that traveled 427 feet, landing halfway up the rock pile beyond center field. That blast put New York ahead 2-1.
The game stayed tight until the eighth inning. Tayler Saucedo hit Brett Baty with his first pitch, and after being replaced by Nick Sandlin, the Mets went to work. Carson Benge ripped an RBI double to right field to make it 3-1, and Vientos followed with his second two-run homer of the day—this time to left field—to seal the win.
The Mets' outfield also shined defensively. Left fielder MJ Melendez made a diving catch in the sixth inning, and Benge followed suit with a spectacular diving grab in right field for the second out of the ninth.
For the Angels, right-hander Jack Kochanowicz (2-1) gave up two runs on five hits over 6 1/3 innings, striking out six and walking three. Los Angeles had snapped a season-high seven-game losing streak on Saturday but has now lost 12 of its last 14 games since April 18.
Looking ahead, the Mets will open a series in Colorado on Monday, though they have yet to name a starter. The Angels will host the White Sox, sending right-hander Jose Soriano (5-1, 0.84 ERA) to the mound against Chicago's Davis Martin (4-1, 1.95 ERA).