Juan Sotos first Citi Field homers cant save Mets in dismal loss to Diamondbacks

Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets.Juan Soto’s first home runs as a Met in Queens belong in the franchise history books, probably alleviated some pressure and sure were a welcome sign for the club.They did not prove especially timely, though.Held homer-less in his first 15 games at home, Soto went deep twice Thursday — which might have been the only memorable moments from a 4-2 loss to the Diamondbacks in front of 36,239, who witnessed the Mets drop their third series of the year.Carlos Mendoza’s group (21-11) lost consecutive games at home for the first time since July and wasted an afternoon that had the potential to be special.Soto — who has faced an increasing spotlight because of at-bats that have not produced results and fielding that looked particularly spotty Thursday — appeared to realize that he does not have to worry about finding holes in the defense if he simply hits the ball over the defense.After knocking three homers in his first 31 games this year, he came through with his first multi-homer game as a Met.

In the sixth inning, he injected life into Queens with an opposite-field shot — just one of the two hits the Mets collected off Zac Gallen, who dominated for six innings and resumed dominating after the blip.In the eighth, Soto once again helped the fans believe in bringing the Mets within one run with his second dinger of the day, a long shot to left-center off Kevin Ginkel, but again the Mets would not get over the hump.After Soto’s blast, Pete Alonso (walk) and Jesse Winker (double) reached scoring position with one out.But Mark Vientos could not lay off a Ginkel slider that slid outside the strike zone, and Brandon Nimmo struck out looking.Tim Tawa drilled a homer off Reed Garrett in the ninth for an insurance run before a fruitless bottom of the ninth for the Mets.The Mets’ bullpen, which has been excellent all season but ha...