Juan Soto hit a solo home run in the first inning on June 18, 2026 [3], giving the New York Mets an early lead.
The play highlights Soto's continued power as a focal point of the Mets offense, though the early advantage did not secure a victory.
MLB said the hit was a ball crushed off the second deck [1]. The home run occurred during the first inning of play, providing an immediate spark for the New York lineup [1].
Reports on the opponent differ between primary sources. MLB said the opposing team was the Philadelphia Phillies [1]. However, the Associated Press said the game was against the Miami Marlins [2].
According to the Associated Press, pitcher Eury Pérez gave up the solo homer to Soto [2]. Despite the early deficit, the Marlins managed to keep the Mets off the scoreboard for the remainder of the game [2].
The Marlins eventually won the game with a final score of 2-1 [2]. Following the contest, Pérez held a record of 3-6 [2].
Soto's ability to drive the ball deep remains a critical asset for the Mets. While the team struggled to produce additional runs, the solo shot demonstrated the individual offensive capability that the New York front office relies upon to compete in tight games.
“Juan Soto puts the Mets in front early, crushing a solo home run off of the second deck”
The result underscores a recurring challenge for the Mets: an inability to provide consistent run support for their pitchers. While Soto can provide immediate offensive pressure, a one-run loss indicates that the team's depth is not yet sufficient to sustain leads against disciplined pitching like that of Eury Pérez.
