Carson Benge Shines with Five Hits as Mets Clinch Series Against Padres

SAN DIEGO — Carson Benge has made his mark. The rookie right fielder for the New York Mets, who made his big league debut on Opening Day, showcased his talents in a standout performance on Sunday. Benge went an impressive 5 for 5, including a home run and an RBI triple, contributing significantly to the Mets' 7-3 victory over the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. "It’s nice to get two hits, let alone five," Benge remarked. "Being able to do that was pretty special."

This achievement marks Benge as the first rookie since Pete Alonso in 2019 to record five hits in a game, and he is only the fourth player in the franchise's history to do so. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza praised his performance, stating, "Rockets pretty much everywhere... a left-on-left homer — it was pretty incredible."

Historically, the Mets have faced challenges in San Diego, not winning a series there since 2018. However, Sunday’s victory marked a turning point as they claimed the final game of the series against a crucial National League rival in the wild-card race. The Padres, currently struggling with six losses in their last seven games, fell to 33-31, while the Mets improved their record to 29-36.

Though it will require a sustained effort to climb back into contention for a playoff spot, each win is vital. "We’re never out of it," Benge said. "Being able to get the bats going was nice." Prior to this series, Benge had already been on a roll, hitting .304 during a recent trip to Seattle and facing tough pitching.

Benge demonstrated his prowess early in the game with a single that initiated a scoring opportunity, eventually leading to him crossing home plate. The Mets built their lead with home runs from Marcus Semien and MJ Melendez, while Benge's consistent hitting kept the pressure on the Padres’ pitching staff.

Notably, Benge's final hit of the day was a line drive that earned him his first career triple, showcasing his ability to make contact and find gaps. "When he’s ahead in the count, he’s letting it fly," Mendoza noted. "He’s just a special player." As the Mets look to build momentum, Benge's emergence is certainly a bright spot for the team.