The New York Mets closed their road series against the Los Angeles Angels with a 5-1 win on Sunday, powered by two home runs from Mark Vientos and a steady outing from starting pitcher Clay Holmes. Vientos drove in four runs, while Holmes controlled the game through nearly seven innings as the Mets secured their second series win in almost a month.
New York entered the game looking to build momentum after inconsistent results through April. The team responded with timely hitting, reliable pitching, and sharp defensive plays in the outfield. The victory gave the Mets two wins in the three-game series and offered signs of stability as injuries continue to affect the roster.
Vientos Delivers Key Offensive Performance
Mark Vientos provided the difference with two powerful swings. His first home run came in the fourth inning and erased an early deficit. The second arrived in the eighth inning and gave New York breathing room late in the game.
Vientos finished with four runs batted in and continued to provide middle-of-the-order production for a Mets lineup dealing with lineup adjustments. His first homer traveled deep to center field and gave New York a 2-1 lead after the Angels had controlled the opening inning.
The second blast came after the Mets extended the lead to 3-1 in the eighth. Vientos drove a two-run shot to left field, turning a close game into a more comfortable margin.
The performance highlighted his ability to produce in key moments. Both home runs came with runners on base and shifted momentum firmly toward New York.
Holmes Settles After Early Trouble
Clay Holmes recovered quickly after a difficult opening inning. The Angels took a 1-0 lead when Zach Neto and Mike Trout reached base with walks before Jorge Soler drove in a run with a single to center field.
After that sequence, Holmes regained command and limited Los Angeles to scattered opportunities. He worked 6 2/3 innings, allowing one run on four hits while striking out six batters.
The right-hander mixed pitches effectively and generated weak contact through the middle innings. He also escaped several situations without allowing additional damage, helping the Mets maintain control after taking the lead.
Holmes improved to 4-2 on the season with the outing. His performance provided needed consistency for a pitching staff navigating injuries and rotation changes.
Mets Adjust Lineup Amid Injuries
New York entered the game with changes in the infield. Bo Bichette started at shortstop after Ronny Mauricio suffered a fractured thumb and moved to the injured list. Francisco Lindor also remained unavailable due to a calf strain.
Despite those absences, the Mets handled the adjustments effectively. The lineup generated enough offense while the defense remained steady behind Holmes and the bullpen.
The team also received contributions from younger players. Carson Benge added an RBI double in the eighth inning, scoring Brett Baty and extending the lead before Vientos added his second home run.
Angels Miss Opportunities
Los Angeles started well but struggled to build on its early momentum. The Angels created traffic on the bases in the first inning but could not generate sustained offense afterward.
Jack Kochanowicz delivered a competitive outing despite taking the loss. He allowed two runs across 6 1/3 innings and kept the Angels within reach through most of the game. However, the bullpen could not contain New York in the late innings.
The Angels had recently snapped a seven-game losing streak with a win on Saturday, but the loss continued a difficult stretch. The team has struggled to find consistency since mid-April and has dropped the majority of its recent games.
Mike Trout and Zach Neto reached base early, while Jorge Soler produced the only run for Los Angeles. Beyond that, the offense failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Defense Supports Mets Pitching
New York’s defense played an important role in protecting the lead. Left fielder MJ Melendez made a diving catch in the sixth inning to prevent a potential rally. Later, Carson Benge added another diving catch in right field during the ninth inning.
Those plays reinforced the team’s complete effort. The Mets combined pitching, defense, and timely offense to manage the game effectively after the early deficit.
The Angels struggled to match that level of execution. Defensive mistakes and quiet offensive stretches prevented them from mounting a comeback.
Up Next
The Mets will open a road series in Colorado on Monday. New York has not yet announced its starting pitcher, while the Rockies are expected to send right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano to the mound.
The Angels will begin a new series against the Chicago White Sox. Los Angeles plans to start José Soriano, who entered the week with one of the league’s lowest earned run averages. Chicago is expected to counter with right-hander Davis Martin.
New York leaves Anaheim with a needed series win and improved momentum heading into the next stretch of the season.
