A Slump Broken by a Shave
The New York Mets entered the night against the Cincinnati Reds looking to snap a five‑game skid, a slump that had left their rookie outfielder Carson Benge mired at 1‑for‑20.
Benge’s decision to shave the moustache that had become a talking point seemed to unlock his swing, as he delivered two RBI singles with two outs and two strikes, driving in the go‑ahead runs in a 4‑2 victory.
Key Performances
Juan Soto ignited the offense with his 12th home run of the season in the first inning, while Eric Wagaman added a homer in his first start with the club.
Starter Jonah Tong limited the Reds to a single unearned run over 3 ⅔ innings, after which relievers Brooks Raley and Luke Weaver combined for 2 ⅓ scoreless frames, setting the stage for Devin Williams to escape a ninth‑inning bases‑loaded jam for his eighth save.
Williams wriggled out of trouble with a timely strikeout, preserving the lead as Cincinnati stranded 17 runners on base, a testament to the bullpen’s composure.
The win not only halted the Mets’ slide but also injected confidence into a young core that now looks to build momentum as the season progresses.