Juan Soto Breaks Hitless Streak in Mets’ Victory

NEW YORK — Had Juan Soto not been struggling with one of the longest hitless streaks of his career, his RBI double in the third inning on Friday would have been just a minor detail in the Mets’ 4-2 victory over the Rockies. The game also featured Francisco Lindor hitting homers from both sides and another solid performance from David Peterson.

However, those familiar with Soto’s transition to the Mets know that his situation is more nuanced than it appears.

In his first two months in Queens, Soto has faced criticism and challenges. During a 24-minute press conference before the game at Citi Field, seven out of the initial eight questions directed at Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns concerned Soto’s $765 million signing.

“He certainly wants better results than what we’ve seen so far,” Stearns remarked. “It’s normal for questions to arise when a player signs such a significant contract, especially if immediate results aren’t evident. I believe Juan understands this too.”

The only way for Soto to ease those concerns would be to start hitting, which he began doing in front of a supportive crowd at Citi Field. Hitting with Lindor on first base and two outs in the third, Soto smashed a 113-mph RBI double to right-center, breaking an 0-for-17 streak. Later, he added a single, marking just his second multi-hit game in three weeks.

“He’s only going to keep improving,” said Lindor. “Everyone keeps asking, ‘Where’s Soto?’ We see it; he’s had good at-bats regularly. Today, the ball just fell for him.”

Before his strong performance on Friday, it was clear that Soto was off his game. Although his April stats indicated he was still making solid contact, his May numbers were less impressive. Many felt he had become too passive at the plate, allowing himself to fall behind in counts. With diminished quality of contact, manager Carlos Mendoza even shifted Soto down the lineup midway through the month, a decision that likely wouldn’t have happened if things had been going well.

Despite facing scrutiny—including criticisms about his hustle and early-season struggles—teammates and Mets officials remained confident that a better version of Soto would eventually emerge. “It’s just a matter of time,” Soto expressed. “I don’t know when it will happen, but I’m going to keep working.”

While one game against a struggling team can’t resolve all issues, Soto’s two-hit performance and a solid defensive play might signal a positive turning point. Mendoza noted his admiration for Soto’s effort in preventing a crucial second run in the sixth inning.

Ultimately, Friday marked one of Soto’s better outings as a Met, providing him with a needed boost to alleviate the surrounding noise. “He hasn’t lived up to the Juan Soto standard this month,” said Stearns, adding, “but even top players experience ups and downs, and it’s our responsibility to help him through it.”