Nolan McLean pitched seven strong innings as the New York Mets defeated the Houston Astros 6-2 at Citi Field on Saturday. Juan Soto returned from a 31-game absence to drive in the go-ahead run during a decisive fifth inning.
Houston struck early in Queens after Jeremy Peña reached third base on a fielding error by Brett Baty. Yordan Alvarez brought Peña home with a sacrifice fly to give the Astros a brief lead. The Mets responded immediately in the bottom half when Francisco Lindor walked, advanced to second base on a balk, and scored on a Jared Young single. From there, McLean established total control on the mound. He retired 20 of the next 24 batters he faced, working efficiently through seven innings while conceding just two hits and one walk.
The critical breakthrough for New York arrived in the bottom of the fifth. Lindor drew a walk before Soto lined an RBI single to score him, breaking the tie in his first game back from injury. Carson Benge followed with a single, allowing Young to clear the bases with a sharp two-run triple down the right-field line. Alvarez launched a 436-foot solo home run in the eighth inning off Daniel Duarte for his 37th homer of the year. But New York promptly added two insurance runs before Kodai Senga secured the final three outs in the ninth.
McLean has permitted just one earned run over his past three starts. His steady form has brought him back into National League Rookie of the Year contention alongside teammate Benge.
The win improves New York to 14-9 across their past 23 contests. Although this late-season form arrives too late to meaningfully alter their postseason position, it offers clear operational progress for the franchise to build upon for the 2027 campaign. Soto’s successful return alongside McLean’s consistent rotation presence provides encouraging signs for the club’s long-term outlook. The Mets finalize their series against Houston before travelling to face the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday.
