Juan Soto does it all in signature night to power Mets in key win to start Nationals series

Juan Soto’s big first season with the Mets added another impressive footnote as his shot to center field in Friday night’s fourth inning carried over the 408-foot sign at Citi Field. The Mets exploded for a huge inning with that three-run blast and Soto established a career high with his 42nd homer of the season.The “MVP” chants followed.  Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets.

Soto’s thunder obscured much of the night’s sloppiness by both teams in the Mets’ 12-6 victory over the Nationals. The Mets, who won for the fourth time in five games, will certainly take it.Their lead on the Reds remained at two games for the NL’s third and final wild-card spot.

The Diamondbacks, who began the night two games behind the Mets, played a later game against the Phillies. Soto, already the franchise’s first 40/30 performer (homers and stolen bases) in a season, led the attack on this night by reaching base four times, unloading for his homer as part of the Mets’ six-run fourth inning.Soto established his previous career high last season, when he hit 41 homers for the Yankees. The Mets received strong relief from Brooks Raley, Ryne Stanek, Ryan Helsley, Tyler Rogers and Chris Devenski, who combined on 4 ²/₃ scoreless innings after Huascar Brazobán scuffled behind Brandon Sproat. Sproat received no favors defensively in his third major league start and lasted only four innings in which he allowed four earned runs on four hits with five strikeouts and two walks.

The rookie was removed after only 71 pitches, before he could face the top of the Nationals’ batting order for the third time. Dylan Crews’ fielding error on Pete Alonso’s single allowed the Mets to score an unearned run in the first.Francisco Lindor singled leading off for the Mets and scored from first as Crews misplayed Alonso’s single. Sloppy defense by the Mets helped the Nationa...