Francisco Lindor’s two-run home runs propelled the New York Mets to an 8-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday at Oracle Park, preventing the Giants from completing a three-game sweep. Lindor’s exceptional performance included four hits in five at-bats, driving in four runs and marking his 16th career multi-homer game.
“Yesterday I felt out of sync with the pitches, but today I was hitting most of them,” Lindor said. “It’s a great feeling, especially when we win.”
Tyrone Taylor contributed a homer and a two-run double, while Jeff McNeil added an RBI single, helping the Mets snap their three-game skid.
“Taylor will play a significant role in the team’s future,” stated Mets manager Carlos Mendoza. “I’m thrilled with his impressive results because he’s not just a great guy but also a top-notch player.”
Tyler Fitzgerald provided the lone home run for San Francisco. Mets starter Sean Manaea struggled with control, issuing six walks, but he persevered through 4 2/3 scoreless innings, striking out six and allowing only four singles. Manaea, who pitched for the Giants last season, threw 101 pitches and departed with two outs in the fifth inning.
“It’s a bit of a mixed bag,” Manaea said about his outing. “I fell behind a lot, but I managed to get outs when necessary.”
Reed Garrett took over for Manaea, pitching two innings and surrendering his first earned run of the season on Fitzgerald’s homer in the seventh. Garrett’s solid performance earned him his fourth win, tying him for the most in the majors.
Giants starter Blake Snell was scratched and placed on the 15-day injured list due to a left adductor strain. Ryan Walker took Snell’s place, and San Francisco used seven pitchers in total.
After a scoreless first inning, Lindor put the Mets on the board with a two-run homer off Giants reliever Sean Hjelle in the second. Taylor extended the lead with a solo shot in the third. Hjelle allowed three runs on three hits in two innings.
“It was a couple of pitches that did the damage,” said Giants manager Bob Melvin. “A few hits and a walk, but homers can be costly.”
The Mets extended their advantage in the fifth with Taylor’s two-run double and McNeil’s RBI single. Lindor added another two-run homer in the ninth off Mitch White.
LaMonte Wade Jr. scored San Francisco’s only other run in the bottom of the ninth on a throwing error by Pete Alonso.
The Mets improved their record to 13-6 in their last 19 games after a dismal 0-5 start to the season.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Mets: Veteran slugger J.D. Martinez (lower back tightness) played his second game with Triple-A Syracuse and is expected to make his Mets debut at home against St. Louis on Friday.
Giants: Thairo Estrada exited the game in the sixth inning due to tightness in his left hamstring. “He wanted to stay in,” Melvin said, “but we decided to be cautious. We’ll monitor him tomorrow.”
ROSTER MOVE
The Giants recalled RHP Landen Roupp from Triple-A Sacramento to take Snell’s spot on the active roster. Roupp gave up three runs in 1 1/3 innings.
UP NEXT
Mets: RHP Jose Butto (0-0, 1.65 ERA) will start Friday as the Mets open a three-game home series against the Cardinals. St. Louis will counter with RHP Miles Mikolas (1-3, 6.49).
Giants: LHP Kyle Harrison (2-1, 5.00) will start the Giants’ three-game home series against the Pirates on Friday. Pittsburgh has yet to announce a starter.
