Tylor Megills sharp start, Juan Sotos homer propel Mets past Astros for first win of season
Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets.HOUSTON — Tylor Megill ended last year on a roll, and Friday night resumed from that spot to begin his new season.The Mets would have liked to receive another inning from the right-hander to lessen the bullpen load, but at this early juncture of the season it’s a quibble.
On this night Megill’s stuff was sharp, and opposing hitters were flummoxed.Megill’s performance, with an assist from the bullpen, was good enough to help the Mets get their first victory of the new season, 3-1 over the Astros at Daikin Park.Juan Soto’s first homer in a Mets uniform, a solo blast against Hunter Brown in the third, was the team’s offensive highlight.The rubber game of the series is Saturday night.Megill, who won a rotation spot in spring training after Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea were sidelined with injuries, gave the Mets a chance by limiting the Astros to one run on three hits and one walk over five-plus innings.
He struck out six and walked one over 77 pitches.It’s the same Megill the Mets saw beginning in late August last year following his return from Triple-A Syracuse.Over those final six starts he pitched to a 2.32 ERA and helped the Mets secure a National League wildcard berth.The Mets unveiled their high-leverage relievers, receiving a scoreless inning apiece from Reed Garrett, A.J.
Minter, Ryne Stanek and Edwin Diaz.Five hits was enough for the Mets, who built a 3-0 lead through three innings before letting their pitching handle the rest.Brandon Nimmo was caught dead in an attempted steal of second in the second inning, but Brendan Rodgers dropped the pitcher Brown’s throw, after Brown had stepped off the rubber.Nimmo was safe and Mark Vientos’ ensuing double gave the Mets a 1-0 lead.
Jesse Winker followed with an RBI single.Soto fell behind 1-2 in the count with two outs in the third but received a 96-mph cutter...