NEW YORK. Star outfielder Juan Soto hit his 26th home run of the season this Wednesday, ruining a no-hit bid by pitcher Gavin Williams, although the New York Mets ended up falling 4-1 to the Cleveland Guardians, who completed the series sweep.
Williams had retired 25 consecutive batters and was just three outs away from achieving the historic feat when Soto caught a 97.1 mph fastball on a 1-1 count, sending the ball 420 feet over the center field of Citi Field. More than 40 thousand fans stood up to cheer the Dominican, who avoided what would have been Cleveland’s first no-hitter since 1981.
Right-hander Gavin Williams was removed from the mound after 126 pitches, the most for a starter so far this season in the Major Leagues. He finished his outing with 8.2 innings of one-hit ball, one run, and 9 strikeouts.
By Cleveland, Angel Martinez hit his tenth home run of the year, a two-run shot in the third inning that put the Guardians up 3-0. Hunter Gaddis took care of the last three outs after replacing Williams, securing the victory.
The Mets (63-52) saw their three-game winning streak snapped and are now 2.5 games behind the Phillies in the National League East. Meanwhile, Cleveland celebrates its seventh consecutive victory and remains at the top of the American League Central.
Additional data:
Juan Soto: 1 for 4, HR (26), 1 R, 1 RBI
Angel Martínez: 1-4, HR (10), 2 RBI, 1 R
José Ramírez: 1-4
Carlos Santana: 0-3, BB, R
With his home run, Soto also cut the longest active Major League drought without a no-hitter for a franchise, that of Cleveland, which dates back to Len Barker’s perfect game in 1981.
Williams had retired 25 consecutive batters and was just three outs away from achieving the historic feat when Soto caught a 97.1 mph fastball on a 1-1 count, sending the ball 420 feet over the center field of Citi Field. More than 40 thousand fans stood up to cheer the Dominican, who avoided what would have been Cleveland’s first no-hitter since 1981.
