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Back from Minors, Francisco Alvarez Sparks Mets’ Comeback Win Over Angels, 7-5
Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Francisco Alvarez made a strong return from the minors with a key double, and Juan Soto delivered the game-tying hit as the New York Mets rallied from a four-run hole to defeat the Los Angeles Angels 7-5 on Monday night.

The Angels jumped out to a 4-0 lead early, but the Mets chipped away, tying the game in the seventh and taking the lead in the eighth on a costly error by Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe. Brandon Nimmo’s sacrifice fly later in the inning padded the lead.

Brett Baty homered in the fourth and later walked in the eighth, scoring the go-ahead run thanks to Alvarez’s double that landed just over Chris Taylor’s head in right. The rally matched the Mets’ biggest comeback win of the season.

Brooks Raley (1-0), pitching in just his second outing since returning from Tommy John surgery, earned the win with a scoreless eighth. Edwin Díaz shut the door in the ninth with three consecutive strikeouts for his 20th season save.

Taylor Ward drove in three runs for the Angels, who opened strong against Mets ace Kodai Senga. The right-hander allowed four earned runs in just three innings, ending his streak of 31 starts with three earned runs or fewer — the longest active stretch in the majors.

O’Hoppe, a Long Island native, hit a solo home run and was in the middle of a critical play in the eighth when Yoán Moncada’s throw home on a grounder went wide, bouncing off O’Hoppe’s mitt and allowing the go-ahead run to score.

Key Moment:

In the bottom of the eighth, with Baty on first, Alvarez doubled deep to right. Baty advanced to third and scored when Moncada mishandled a potential play at the plate, giving New York its first lead.

Key Stats:

  • Senga’s streak of 31 straight starts, which allowed three or fewer earned runs, ended.

  • Francisco Lindor went 0-for-5 and is now hitless in his last 26 at-bats.

  • Angels starter Tyler Anderson remains winless over his last 16 starts, last winning on April 18.

Up Next:

The series continues Tuesday night with Angels right-hander Kyle Hendricks (5-6, 4.88 ERA) taking on Mets righty Frankie Montas (2-1, 5.03 ERA).

This article first appeared on Angels Nation and was syndicated with permission.

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