Soto Saves Day As Mets Thisclose To Being No-Hit By Guardians' Hurler

 

Gavin Williams firing one in to Pete Alonso in the seventh inning. Photo by Jason Schott.

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Gavin Williams nearly earned a moment in history against the Mets on Wednesday at Citi Field.

The big right-hander came within two outs of a no-hitter when Juan Soto, with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, crushed one to dead center field that just cleared the line for a solo home run.

Juan Soto rounding the bases on his home run, as Gavin Williams reacts. Photo by Jason Schott.

Williams notched the first 25 outs of the game without allowing a hit, and scattering three walks, on his way to a 4-1 win.

After the Soto home run, Williams got Pete Alonso to fly out to right field and he walked Brandon Nimmo.

With his pitch count at 126, he was pulled from the game, and in a very classy move by the Mets faithful, he was given a standing ovation as he headed to the dugout.

A good omen for his day was set when Francisco Lindor opened the game by lining one back to him. 

Williams got his glove on it, but the force knocked it off, and he scrambled to grab the ball and get Lindor at first base.

Soto then bounced one to second before Pete Alonso lined one back to Williams that he grabbed. (pictured below)

Photo by Jason Schott.

Those were arguably was the Mets’ best chance at a hit until the Soto home run.

David Fry gave Cleveland an early 1-0 lead when he hit a solo home run in the top of the second off David Peterson.

In the bottom half of the frame, Brandon Nimmo drew a walk and reached second base with no out.

Mark Vientos could not do anything with that, as he bounced out to shortstop. 

Then, with two outs, Cedric Mullins drew a walk to give them two on base, but Luis Torrens flew out.

Angel Martinez then gave Cleveland a 3-0 lead with a two-run shot in the top of the third inning.

Williams got through the third inning in order, and then allowed a one-out walk to Nimmo in the fourth. 

The next two Mets were retired in order, and that began a run where Williams retired 15 straight before the Soto homer.

Pete Alonso went 0-4 in his quest to tie the Mets’ franchise home run record.

This capped a sweep for Cleveland in the three-game series and a deleterious 1-5 homestand for the Mets.