Mets' Juan Soto has big wish about massive inning in win over Nationals

An error committed by Washington Nationals third baseman Jorbit Vivas resulted in the New York Mets putting seven runs on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth inning of Tuesday's game, which the Mets won 8-0.

Following the victory, Mets outfielder Juan Soto suggested something as simple as one misplay could help the struggling National League East team turn things around this spring. 

Will "lucky rock" save Mets' season?

"Things got to come together to come through," Soto explained, per Colin Martin of SNY. "After the error, we just capitalized... Sometimes you just need a lucky rock in the middle of the field, and it gets you going."

Of course, Tuesday's result may prove to be little more than a blip on the radar for a Mets team that improved to 10-19 on the season. Shortstop Francisco Lindor will still be out of the lineup for the foreseeable future because of a calf issue. As ESPN's Jorge Castillo noted, Soto is currently serving only as a designated hitter due to forearm tightness. Mets starter Kodai Senga landed on the injured list Tuesday afternoon with lumbar spine inflammation, and outfielder Luis Robert Jr. didn't play Tuesday because of lower back tightness.

Nevertheless, Soto tried to remain positive while speaking about a victory the Mets badly needed. 

"Win a game, actually," Soto added. "Just give a little confidence to the lineup and remember what we are capable of."

Mets understand the reality of their situation

One victory alone won't stop outsiders from assuming that the Mets could fire manager Carlos Mendoza at any point this spring. Mets players have publicly supported Mendoza amid the club's latest woes, and starting pitcher Clay Holmes hinted after Tuesday's win that everybody involved is aware of all that's been said and written about the team over the past several weeks.  

"I think it'd be crazy to say you don't really know the situation as a player," Holmes said. "You know we haven't been playing well. You know the expectations here in New York. You're aware of it. Sometimes, the hard part is trying to do too much in situations of pressing, and maybe trying to do things you don't need to. It's really just, you got to have a relaxed focus of who you are and what you can do and show up every day and do it. If you try to climb out of a hole in one day, it rarely ever works. So I think just in the setting, you're aware where you're at, but it should focus you in on who you are and what you need to do to help the team win."

The Mets will host the 13-17 Nationals for the second matchup of a three-game series on Wednesday night.