Juan Soto homers, Clay Holmes offers as Mets beat Astros in spring coaching opener

PORT ST. LUCIE, FL. — The Mets defeated the Houston Astros 6-2 of their Grapefruit League opener on Saturday afternoon at Clover Park.Listed here are some takeaways…- It did not take lengthy for Juan Soto to make his mark in a Mets uniform. The famous person outfielder was once welcomed through a rousing ovation as he took the sector within the best of the primary — and once more when he stepped to the plate within the backside 1/2 of the inning — and he spoke back through cracking an opposite-field solo domestic run 4 pitches later.Soto overlooked a 2-0 fastball from Houston’s Colton Gordon, but if the southpaw got here again with the warmth a 2nd time he was once certain to make him pay, crushing his first hit as a Met. The slugger got here up with the bases loaded and one out in his subsequent at-bat, however grounded right into a fielder’s selection, ahead of bringing his day to an finish.Whilst it is nonetheless only one recreation into spring coaching, Carlos Mendoza admitted pregame that it felt “truly excellent” to write-in Francisco Lindor, Soto, and Pete Alonso as the highest 3 in his order.- Lindor and Alonso each performed 3 innings as neatly. Lindor opened his spring with a popout to former Met Zack Quick, after which he drove in a run with a fielder’s selection as he got here up with the bases loaded and no person out in the second one. Alonso reached base as soon as, drawing a stroll a couple of pitches after profitable a problem with the ABS gadget.- Clay Holmes’ transition to the beginning rotation is among the largest storylines to observe over the following couple of weeks in camp, and he for sure made a powerful first impact. The appropriate-hander was once extraordinarily environment friendly as he labored his approach thru 3 very best innings, throwing 34 pitches to urge 4 groundouts and placing out 3. All of Holmes’ punchouts have been showed through the ABS gadget following Houston demanding situations.- Francisco Alvarez won the beginning at the back of the dish — he stuck 3 innings and completed 1-for-3 with an RBI unmarried. His backup, Luis Torrens, was once the DH for the afternoon and he was once on base two times with a couple of singles. Most sensible catching prospect Kevin Parada slotted in for Torrens right through the later innings, and he struck out in each and every of his two at-bats.- Justin Hagenman threw two scoreless innings and Austin Warren threw certainly one of his personal.HighlightsUpcoming scheduleThe Mets have a split-squad doubleheader on Sunday, beginning at 1:10 p.m.Max Kranick takes the ball in opposition to the Marlins within the home-half, whilst Ty Adcock travels to West Palm to take at the Nats.