Mets dominate Padres in 8-3 victory

In a decisive victory, the New York Mets showcased their offensive prowess against the San Diego Padres, with Pete Alonso and Jeff McNeil each contributing three hits, while Mark Vientos drove in three runs. This win marked the Mets' fourth consecutive victory over the Padres this season, improving their overall record to six wins in their last nine games. The Mets are currently two games behind the Atlanta Braves for the final wild card spot, while the Padres are tied with the Arizona Diamondbacks for the top wild card position. Mets players expressed confidence in their team's capabilities, highlighting their ability to hit effectively against strong pitchers. Alonso noted the importance of their performance against Padres pitcher Cease, stating, "If we can do that from now on we’re going to be good." Despite facing challenges in the fifth inning, where the Padres loaded the bases, the Mets managed to limit the damage, allowing only one run during that frame. On the pitching side, Severino delivered a solid performance, striking out seven batters and walking just one. He acknowledged feeling good after his previous nine-inning outing, despite some struggles in the fifth. Meanwhile, the Padres are awaiting the return of star player Tatis, who is making progress in his recovery from an injury that has sidelined him since June 22. As the season progresses, both teams are vying for playoff positions, with the Mets looking to build on their recent success and the Padres aiming to maintain their wild card lead.