The New York Mets didn’t just win a ballgame Sunday night — they turned the Little League Classic into a showcase of power, speed, and history. Behind a three-run homer from Mark Vientos, steady pitching from Clay Holmes, and a milestone performance from Juan Soto, the Mets defeated the Seattle Mariners 7–3 at Journey Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
The annual game, played before Little League players and their families, often brings magic. For the Mets, it brought a reminder that their offense, when firing, is one of the most dangerous in the National League.
Vientos Delivers the Big Swing
After both teams traded early blows, the Mets broke things open in the fifth inning. With two men on base, Mark Vientos jumped on a pitch and sent it soaring over the left-field wall, a three-run blast that gave New York a comfortable cushion.
Vientos’ home run was the exclamation point on a night in which the Mets’ lineup balanced patience and power. His reaction — arms raised, face lit up — underscored the significance of delivering on a national stage.
Soto and Lindor Make History
But it was Juan Soto’s legs that etched the night into the record books. In the third inning, Soto swiped his 20th base of the season, pairing his speed with the power that has defined his game all year.
With the steal, Soto joined Francisco Lindor as Mets players to notch both 20+ home runs and 20+ stolen bases in 2025. According to MLB.com’s Sarah Langs, it’s only the fourth time in franchise history that the Mets have had multiple players hit those benchmarks in the same season. The last occurrence? 2007, when Carlos Beltrán and David Wright accomplished the feat.
Other Mets duos to achieve the milestone include Howard Johnson with Darryl Strawberry in both 1987 and 1988.
Soto, in his first year of a massive 15-year deal with New York, has lived up to the hype. He’s now hitting .251 with 30 home runs, 71 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases, while boasting an OPS+ of 152. Alongside Lindor and Pete Alonso, he anchors a trio that may be the most feared in the National League.
Holmes’ Steady Start
While the offense grabbed the headlines, Clay Holmes delivered a gutsy performance on the mound. Working through traffic, Holmes limited Seattle’s scoring opportunities and gave his lineup a chance to take control.
Seattle threatened early but couldn’t deliver the knockout punch. The Mariners’ lone bright spots came from timely hitting in the middle innings, but Holmes and the Mets’ bullpen contained the damage.
The Mariners Falter
The loss drops Seattle to 68–57 on the season. While they remain just 1.5 games behind the Houston Astros in the American League West, the Mariners continue to battle for consistency in their push for the postseason.
For the Mets, the win lifted them to 66–58. They remain five games back of the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East but hold their ground in the Wild Card race.
Looking Ahead
After the pageantry of Williamsport, the Mets will return to the grind of the regular season. They’ll enjoy a day off Monday before opening a new series Tuesday night against the Washington Nationals.
Left-hander David Peterson, sporting a 7–5 record with a 3.30 ERA, will get the ball for New York. He’ll be opposed by Jake Irvin (Washington), with first pitch scheduled for 6:45 p.m. ET.
A Night to Remember
For the Mets, the Little League Classic became more than just another win. It was a night where Soto joined history, Vientos provided fireworks, and the team reminded its fans — and the league — that it still has the firepower to chase down October.
And for the kids in attendance, it was proof that the heroes they watch on TV can make magic in the same small ballparks where their own dreams begin.
