Clay Holmes, Bo Bichette Guide Mets to 4-2 Win
On Monday night, the New York Mets traveled on the road for the first time this season against the St. Louis Cardinals (2-2) — the first of a seven-game road trip.
Clay Holmes took the mound for his season debut and pitched solidly as New York defeated St. Louis 4-2. Bo Bichette also contributed with a two-RBI night, including a go-ahead hit. He had his first quality game as a Met after a tough opening weekend.
The Mets improved to 3-1 in the early going.
Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
Clay Holmes Efficient in First Start of 2026
Holmes was the Mets’ most consistent pitcher last season, his first as a starter in the big leagues. The transition was smooth for Holmes, so the expectation is that he will continue it in 2026. Holmes had to battle his way through 5 2/3 innings of work as manager Carlos Mendoza pushed him to 90 pitches. He struck out five batters, allowed four hits, three walks, and two earned runs, and orchestrated eight ground-ball outs.
After allowing JJ Wetherholt to score in the first inning on an RBI single by Alec Burleson, assisted by a Holmes balk that advanced Wetherholt to third, he struck out Masyn Winn and Nolan Gorman to keep it a 1-1 tie. In the bottom of the third inning, Holmes got Gorman to ground out with runners on first and second. Holmes’ last pitch, with the Mets up 4-1, was a home run allowed to Gorman before being relieved for Tobias Myers. Overall, Holmes gave the Mets a good performance to begin his second season as a starter.
Bo Bichette Contributes with a Pair of RBIs
After the opening series with the Pirates, the talk was all about the performance of new free agent signing Bo Bichette. Bichette had a few adventurous moments at third base, and most of all, struggled at the plate and heard a spattering of boos from the Citi Field faithful. To his credit, Bichette took it head-on after the game on Sunday. In the win on Monday, Bichette showed the Mets what he can do in 2026.
After Francisco Lindor tripled to start the game, Bichette drove him in with an RBI groundout to give the Mets a 1-0 lead. With the game tied 1-1 in the top of the fifth, Bichette stepped to the plate with two runners on base and two outs. On a 1-0 pitch from Cardinals starter Kyle Leahy, Bichette drove in the go-ahead run with a single to right field. Bichette also hit an unlucky, hard line drive out to St. Louis right fielder Jordan Walker in the sixth inning. Defensively, he handled an Ivan Herrera ground ball well by charging and throwing a perfect strike across his body to first base.
Game Notes
Carson Benge had a two-hit night and scored the go-ahead run. It was the rookie’s first productive game since Opening Day.
Devin Williams had his first save chance as a Met and retired the side in order, using his changeup effectively.
Jared Young got the start at first base. He hit an RBI double in the top of the sixth inning to extend the Mets’ lead to 3-1.
With a single in the top of the third inning, Juan Soto has now recorded a hit in each of the Mets’ first four games of the season.
Despite the win, the Mets went 1-for-14 with runners in scoring position and left 11 runners on base.
Player of the Game: Clay Holmes
Holmes pitched deep into the sixth inning with five strikeouts as he recorded his first win of the season.
On Deck
Kodai Senga will begin a very important 2026 season for him on Tuesday against the Cardinals’ Andre Pallante. First pitch is at 7:45 p.m. ET. The game will be televised locally on SNY and broadcast on WHSQ 880am.
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