Pushed to the brink, Soto and Torrens help Mets pull off 'really gutsy win'

ATLANTA -- The Mets found themselves in a familiar situation in the ninth inning of Monday night’s series finale against the Braves at Truist Park.

New York, which outlasted Atlanta in Sunday’s 10-9 nail-biter, trailed 3-2 and was down to its final out. The potential for another loss during a difficult summer stretch was getting likelier by the pitch.

Then, Juan Soto happened.

The now-five-time All-Star launched a go-ahead three-run blast into right field, and though the Braves went on to force extra innings, Luis Torrens' game-winning two-run double in the 10th completed the Mets' late-game 7-6 comeback win. It marks the team’s second victory this season when trailing entering the ninth. They had zero in 2025.

The past two days not only provide a breath of fresh air, but a moment to potentially build on.

“It’s definitely been a tough season, but we've got to take the positive stuff,” Soto said. “It’s not going to be easy, we know what kind of players they have on the other side, so coming through with the win is a success for us.”

The Mets are 4-12 since June 20 -- a record seeped with tough battles and frustration.

Hence, Soto’s blast was bigger than three runs. To interim manager Andy Green it was “a fun swing for the whole team.”

“[Juan's] the best in the game, he’s in a tier of his own,” Green said. “[It] took us a while to finally draw blood there in the ninth and score some more runs, but guys were locked in the whole time.”

Soto’s homer shook, or more so silenced, the ballpark. Providing a 5-3 advantage, Soto's first hit of the game handed New York its first lead since the second inning, ended Braves closer Raisel Iglesias’ 35-game save streak and sucked the life out of Truist Park.

The Mets turned to Devin Williams, who closed out Sunday’s win, but Matt Olson quickly spoiled the save opportunity, hitting a two-run homer into the left-field bullpen to tie the game on his second blast of the day and set up extras.

In need of another jolt, Torrens delivered with two outs in the 10th by lacing a double into left field in his first at-bat of the game, pushing the Mets' lead back to 7-5.

“In that situation, I’m just trying to put the ball in play in whatever way,” Torrens said. “All of us are trying to pull out wins, and to be able to go out here the last few days and to pull out two victories, it's really gratifying as a group.”

Green praised Torrens’ approach in that situation, especially the fact he was facing an 0-2 count. He emphasized that the catcher has never been afraid of the moment, a trait that hasn’t changed since he first met him 10 years ago as the Padres' manager when both were in San Diego.

In the 10th, New York called on Luke Weaver -- who entered with a 25-inning scoreless streak -- for another attempt to shut the door, and he completed the mission. Although allowing an unearned run, he produced a game-ending groundout to short with the bases loaded -- all while keeping his earned-run streak alive.

“I hope he keeps streaking for a long time,” Green said. “A lot of pitchers coming in and doing a really good job tonight … I see that as a really gutsy win.”

Comeback victories haven’t been a staple to New York's brand of winning this season. The team has just 18 counting Monday, the 10th fewest in MLB.

The gap between the Mets and playoff contention has grown as the season has trekked on, but games like Sunday and Monday serve as a reminder and motivator moving forward.

“Even if we fall behind early in the game, we’ve just got to stay in the game and stay focused,” Soto said. “And that’s how we come back.”