Mets Complete First Sweep of 2026 Season, Overcoming Early Deficits Against Tigers

NEW YORK – The New York Mets completed their first series sweep of the 2026 season on Thursday, defeating the Detroit Tigers 9-4 at Citi Field. This marks a significant turnaround for the Mets, who had held Major League Baseball's worst record just three days prior. The series was notable for the Mets' ability to rally from multiple-run deficits in every game, a feat accomplished only twice before in franchise history for a sweep of at least three games, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Thursday's victory saw the Mets fall behind by three runs in the first inning but quickly mount a comeback. Brett Baty's two-run homer tied the game, and Juan Soto, despite a sore ankle, delivered the go-ahead RBI single. The offense was further bolstered by Mark Vientos and Soto himself, who added solo home runs later in the game.

Key contributors

The Mets' offensive power was on full display throughout the decisive game. Brett Baty's game-tying two-run homer in the fourth inning was a crucial moment, shifting the momentum in New York's favor. Following Baty's heroics, Juan Soto, who had been a concern after fouling a ball off his ankle the previous day, proved his resilience with a key single that drove in the go-ahead run in the fifth. Soto later added a solo shot in the seventh inning, capping a multi-hit performance.

Mark Vientos also contributed significantly with a two-run homer. The offensive outburst allowed the Mets to turn what began as a challenging afternoon into a comfortable win. Even Hayden Senger contributed with a run-scoring safety squeeze in the sixth inning, showcasing a well-rounded team effort.

Pitching performance and bullpen relief

Despite a rocky start where Nolan McLean allowed a three-run homer to Gage Workman in the first inning, McLean recovered impressively to pitch seven strong innings. This performance was critical for the Mets, as manager Carlos Mendoza had utilized all his high-leverage relievers in Wednesday's tight victory. McLean's ability to go deep into the game saved the bullpen, ensuring key arms were rested for future contests. This was McLean's second time completing seven innings this season.

The early innings also saw A.J. Ewing hit his first career home run in the third inning, further chipping away at the Tigers' initial lead. Carson Benge also sparked the Mets with a single and a replay-aided stolen base, setting the stage for Soto's go-ahead hit.

Key facts

Implications for the season

This series sweep marks a significant turning point for the Mets. After a disappointing start to the season that saw them at the bottom of MLB standings, the team demonstrated renewed energy and clutch performance. The ability to come back from deficits in all three games suggests a growing resilience and confidence within the squad. For US and global sports readers, this shift in momentum for a major market team like the Mets will be closely watched, particularly as they aim to climb out of the cellar and contend in the competitive MLB season. The strong offensive contributions from key players like Soto, Baty, and Vientos, coupled with a resilient pitching performance, indicate that the Mets might be finding their rhythm.

Fuente: MLB Official News RSS – https://www.mlb.com/news/juan-soto-mets-sweep-tigers