Gut Reaction: Mets 8, Royals 3 (7/11/25)

Mark Vientos delivered a three-run double in the eighth inning to give the Mets the lead and they added four more in the ninth for an 8-3 win over the Royals Friday night. The Mets are now 17-12 in games decided by five or more runs.

It looked like today was going to be a continuation of bad news for Vientos, as he struck out with the bases loaded in the third inning and was 0-3 with two Ks when he came to bat in the eighth. But he made solid contact, hit the ball the other way and split the outfielders in right center for the big hit. Vientos added another solid hit in the ninth to finish with a two-hit game.

Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto smacked back-to-back homers in the ninth inning. Lindor’s was a three-run blast, while Soto went to left center for his homer.

This game marked the return of Kodai Senga, who wriggled out of trouble, stranding two runners in each of the first three innings. He finished with four scoreless frames, lowering his ERA to 1.39 for the season.

It looked like Huascar Brazoban was going to be the goat, as he gave up a two-run homer to break up a 1-1 tie. But Vientos got him off the hook and Reed Garrett came up with a strong eighth inning, retiring the side in order to maintain the one-run lead.

Edwin Diaz was warming up for the save but the big ninth inning made his appearance not necessary. Chris Devenski came on instead and closed out the game.

The Mets go for the series win late Saturday afternoon, with Frankie Montas getting the ball.