Mets beat Royals to claim first series victory since mid-June

Field Level Media|published: Thu 9th July, 15:58 2026

Jul 9, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets left fielder Juan Soto (22) follows through on a solo home run against the Kansas City Royals during the seventh inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Rookie Carson Benge and Francisco Alvarez hit RBI singles in a five-run fifth inning, Sean Manaea pitched a season-high seven innings as the host New York Mets recorded a 7-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Thursday afternoon.

After allowing 16 runs in the first game of the series between last-place teams, the Mets won their first series since taking two of three at home from the Atlanta Braves June 12-14. New York also won for the fourth time in five games after losing 12 of its previous 14.

Tyrone Taylor started the big inning with a tying homer to left field on a 2-2 cutter off Kansas City starter Michael Wacha (5-7). The Mets loaded the bases on singles by Brett Baty and rookie AJ Ewing along with a walk by Juan Soto before taking the lead on a sacrifice fly by Bo Bichette.

Benge followed with a bloop single that scored Ewing and Soto scored when Lane Thomas overthrew third baseman Nick Loftin. Alvarez followed with a single to left field that chased Wacha.

Jared Young added an RBI double in the second on his 30th birthday and Taylor homered after entering the game in the third. Taylor entered the contest after Mark Vientos injured his hand while getting hit by a pitch in the second.

Soto reached base three times and padded the lead with a homer in the seventh.

Manaea (2-4) allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits and went seven innings for the first time since Sept. 21, 2024. The left-hander struck out six and walked one while becoming the first Met to complete seven innings since Nolan McLean on June 17 in Cincinnati.

Manaea allowed a homer to Thomas on his first pitch and was aided by Alvarez throwing out Starling Marte on an attempted steal of second.

He allowed a homer to Bobby Witt Jr. to open the fourth and also helped his own cause by picking Tyler Tolbert off first base.

In the seventh, Maneaa allowed a two-out single to Loftin, who advanced to second on Soto's misplay in left field. After allowing an RBI double to Jac Caglanone, he walked Issac Collins but ended his outing by fanning Tolbert.

Wacha allowed six runs on six hits in a season-worst 4 2/3 innings.

--Field Level Media

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