NEW YORK — A rejuvenated Juan Soto is showing signs of returning to form. After a difficult May that saw his batting average tumble to .224, the New York Mets star has regained his rhythm with eight hits over his past four games. Highlighting this resurgence, Soto launched a home run Tuesday night at Citi Field, glancing back at Washington Nationals pitcher MacKenzie Gore on his trot around the bases.
“We were just exchanging pleasantries. That’s all,” Soto said with a slight grin, drawing chuckles from the press.
Soto and Gore share a unique connection, having been key figures in the 2022 trade that sent them in opposite directions, with CJ Abrams, Robert Hassell III, and James Wood joining them in the exchange from San Diego to Washington.
“It’s just playful banter,” explained Gore, who currently stands atop the major league leaderboard with 114 strikeouts. “And he got the better of me this time.”
Does the history of that trade fuel their rivalry? “Maybe. But it’s just tough matchups with him. He’s highly competitive, which is why he’s beloved by fans. Threw a poor slider and he capitalized,” Gore reflected.
Soto was instrumental in New York’s 5-4 comeback win in 10 innings against his former team, delivering a crucial RBI double and gunning down a runner at home from right field.
In his debut season with the Mets under a monumental 15-year, $765 million contract, Soto has tallied four home runs in his last 10 games, amassing a total of 12. The four-time All-Star, integral to Washington’s 2019 World Series triumph, has been on a robust streak, getting on base in all of his past 12 games. During this period, Soto is hitting .341 with eight RBIs and a 1.225 OPS.
In a commanding performance last Sunday in a 13-5 win against Colorado, Soto went 3 for 3, drawing three walks and scoring three runs, marking the first time in his career he reached base six times in a single game.
However, his first encounter Tuesday night with Gore was less fruitful, as he struck out looking at three consecutive sliders. In the third inning, Soto redeemed himself. On a 2-2 slider, he powered a solo home run 373 feet to the opposite field, reducing New York’s deficit to 3-2. His resolve was evident as he exchanged words with Gore after the hit.
“Just focused on executing the right swing,” Soto commented. “Like I said, waiting for the right moments. He slipped up, and I made it count.”