Soto snaps 17-game HR drought in Mets' victory

NEW YORK -- Juan Soto snapped a 17-game location tally drought with a 404-foot homer to left-centerfield successful the 4th inning of the New York Mets' 8-2 triumph Saturday implicit the Colorado Rockies.

Soto's archetypal homer since May 9 was clocked astatine 109.5 mph disconnected the bat but deed into a 14 mph upwind blowing retired to close field.

"He enactment a truly bully plaything connected it," Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. "For him to deed it retired of the ballpark similar that connected a time that the conditions are not successful his favor, that's beauteous impressive."

Asked if helium was assured the shot would permission the yard, Soto grinned.

"I mean, 110 (mph), you've got to be," Soto said. "I knew it was gone."

The location tally drought was the fourth-longest of the outfielder's eight-year career. Soto, who signed a grounds $765 million, 15-year woody successful December, entered Saturday hitting conscionable .143 with 2 extra-base hits successful his erstwhile 17 games.

But the reception astatine Citi Field has remained mostly lukewarm for Soto, who raised his hands to the cheering assemblage pursuing his location tally trot. He was serenaded with chants of "JUAN SO-TO" from fans successful the close tract seats successful the apical of the fifth, erstwhile helium turned and raised his arms successful acknowledgment.

"It's a large feeling erstwhile you consciousness the enactment similar that," Soto said.

Soto homered 1 transportation aft Brandon Nimmo deed a two-run changeable to right.

"Francisco (Lindor) and I were doing our representation down there," Nimmo said, referring to the Mets' post-home tally contented of posing successful the dugout. "Heard the dependable of the bat and the assemblage going wild. We looked retired and were capable to spot him spell the different way. That's erstwhile he's the best.

"I deliberation weather's starting to vigor up, we're flipping the publication into June, this tract volition commencement to play a small much fair. I deliberation it's conscionable a motion of bully things to come. Great to spell back-to-back with him."