Mets Rout Giants in Series Opener

Photo by Caean Couto/Getty Images

September 4, 2026

Mets 10, Giants 6

In a one-sided series opener, the New York Mets put seven runs on the board in the first two innings en route to downing the San Francisco Giants 10–6. At Citi Field Friday, Mark Vientos blasted a three-run homer in the first. Catcher Francisco Alvarez hit two solo shots of his own. Bo Bichette delivered a second inning two-run homer and Francisco Lindor smashed a two-run shot in the sixth. The performance supported right-hander Nolan McLean, who recorded seven strikeouts in six innings. The Mets rookie improved to an 11–8 record.

Mets Jump Ahead

McLean walked Rafael Devers with one out in the first, but struck out Bryce Eldridge soon after. Lindor singled to left field and Bichette drew a walk to start the bottom half of the inning. With runners on base, Vientos crushed a three-run homer over the right field fence.

Alvarez added another to the total with a solo shot during the second. Rookie outfielder Nick Morabito drew a walk and a balk advanced him to second. Lindor reached base and Morabito moved to third due to a throwing error from Christian Koss. Morabito scored the Mets fifth run off Juan Soto’s force play, while Lindor was tagged out. With the Mets ahead by five, Bichette scored two more on a two-run homer to center field.

McLean, however, ran into trouble during the third. After striking out Nate Furman, McClean walked Koss. Drew Gilbert singled and then a two-run double from Devers scored the Giants first two runs. Still, McLean struck out Eldridge swinging and made it out of the inning without giving up another run.

The rookie righty surrendered singles to Drew Cavanaugh and Osleivis Basabe in the fourth. Yet again, he struck out Furman and ended the frame without surrendering another hit. McLean weathered through a challenging fifth inning, with Devers doubling off him. He walked Eldridge and gave up a single to Turner Hill. With the bases loaded, he struck out Jung Hoo Lee and a force out from Cavanaugh ended the inning.

Sealing The Deal

Jared Young drew a walk to start the sixth. Two batters later, Lindor hit a two-run homer to right field. His 16th of the year increased the Mets lead to seven. However, Cox singled off Jefry Yan during the bottom half of the inning. The left-hander walked Eldridge and surrendered an RBI single to Hill. He was then replaced by Alex Warren, who made it through the inning without giving up a run.

Warren struck out Grant McCray to start the eighth. He gave up consecutive singles to Koss and Cox. That came before Devers took him deep for a three-run homer and cut the Mets lead down to three. Robert Stock replaced Warren and gave up a double to Eldridge. Still, the inning ended on a line out from Hill.

Alvarez smashed his second solo shot of the game to start the eighth. This put the Mets in front by four, as Lindor and Morabito struck out. Kodai Senga sealed the win in the ninth, although he walked McCray.

What Went Right For The Mets

Vientos started the game with a three-run homer during the first. Alvarez hit two of his own, increasing his regular season total to 15. Not to mention, Bichette and Lindor each crushed a two-run shot. Overall, the Mets tallied nine hits, 10 RBI and five home runs.

McLean, on the other hand, struck out seven batters in six innings. He surrendered six hits, four walks and two earned runs. Stock and Senga sealed the series opener win for the Mets.

What Went Wrong For The Mets

Yan, however, struggled during the seventh. The lefty gave up two hits and an earned run, while recording two strikeouts. Warren gave up three hits, including a three-run homer during the eighth.

Looking Ahead

After winning their last two, the Mets head into the middle game against the Giants on a roll. Left-hander Zac Thortonton will start for them against right-hander Anthony Molina. First pitch from Citi Field for Saturday’s matchup between the Mets and Giants is at 4:10 pm Eastern.