Holmes’ Carving of the Twins Solidified by Soto’s Moonshot in Mets’ 5–1 Win
Frigid temperatures in Minneapolis read “bundle up,” but the Mets came in scorching hot on Monday night.
Behind another strikeout-heavy start from Clay Holmes, timely knocks from Pete Alonso, Juan Soto’s power resurgence, and a bullpen colder than Target Field’s forecast, New York opened the series with a 5–1 win over the Twins.
Put it in the books 📚 #MetsWin #LGM pic.twitter.com/XCll6hb6xw
— New York Mets (@Mets) April 15, 2025
Clay Holmes: Mr. Freeze
Holmes opened this one like a man with a dinner reservation. He worked swiftly through his outing, striking out six through three innings, and had the Twins chasing his (nearly) full pitch mix.
Big day on the bump from Clay 🔥@moomooApp | #LGM pic.twitter.com/zflGUSAaUo
— New York Mets (@Mets) April 15, 2025
Things got dicey in the fifth—two walks, a plunked batter, a bases-loaded jam—but Holmes limited the damage to just one run on a sac fly.
He finished with eight Ks over five innings of two-hit ball. I’m a full believer that Clay Holmes is the cure. There is such an energy shift when he leans into what he produced this offseason, and it is just truly disgusting stuff.
Pete Alonso, RBI Addict
Pete Alonso is truly an RBI aficionado. He works these deep counts with a sharp plate discipline like Mets fans haven’t seen before, and that’s accounting for his immaculate 2019 season.
Career hit 800 for Pete 👏 @HauglandGroup | #LGM pic.twitter.com/3o5H1rSwjb
— New York Mets (@Mets) April 15, 2025
Notably collecting his 800th career hit, he opened the scoring with a two-out RBI single in the third, now hitting .450 with runners in scoring position and sitting second in the NL with 19 RBI. The man reached base four times Monday and now carries a .345 average with a 1.137 OPS. All he does is rake. And then rake some more.
Acuña’s Big Spark
Luisangel Acuña was everywhere. A walk. A double. A bunt single. He was a threat every time he stepped into the box.
Luisangel Acuña over his last 4 games:
.429 AVG
6 H
6 R
2 BB
3 SBShould he be the full time second baseman until McNeil returns? pic.twitter.com/UxaRcyM7M0
— MetsMuse (@MetsMuse) April 15, 2025
With Jeff McNeil still easing back from an oblique strain, Acuña is making a case to stay planted in the infield grass. That’s four straight games with a hit. He is a spark plug and then some.
Vientos Cracks the Cold Spell
Mark Vientos must have remembered who he is. His sixth-inning RBI double was his second extra-base knock in as many games, and he came around to score a few pitches later on a Twins error (if you’ve seen it, you know).
— Ron’s Darlings (@RonsDarlings) April 15, 2025
He looks more confident at the plate, and the swings are getting louder. That’s what happens when you start barreling instead of bailing.
A Hooded Soto Cracked it Wide Open
You could truly see a change in Juan Soto on Monday night. I’m not sure if it was the cold, or really trying to crack into his known generational power after playing such great small ball this start of the season—but it was menacing to see (if I were an opposing pitcher).
Juan Soto gives this baseball a ride 😤 pic.twitter.com/zmU9xHdEsr
— MLB (@MLB) April 15, 2025
He turned on a sweet-spot changeup to drive a 108 mph moonshot 405 ft to center field, driving in Acuña in the same stroke. It was his second homer of the year and the kind of swing that makes you double-check the distance with your jaw on the floor.
The demon has been activated 🍎 pic.twitter.com/SAoOwYwliC
— Jocelyn (@JoceyTor) April 15, 2025
Ice-Cold Bullpen
Inheriting an excellent five innings from Holmes, the Mets’ bullpen again made it all look easy.
Huascar Brazobán coasted through two hitless innings (he is still scoreless, by the way). Reed Garrett put the Twins on ice with a pair of strikeouts in the eighth, and Ryne Stanek closed the door with a clean ninth.
It’s become a theme: get the lead, hand it off, and let the relievers do the rest.
Overall: 2.22 ERA (1st)
Starters: 2.50 ERA (1st)
Relievers: 1.82 ERA (3rd)— Michael Baron (@michaelgbaron) April 15, 2025
The weather may have been miserable, but the Mets brought the warmth. This team keeps stacking confident, composed wins. With contributions up and down the lineup and another strong bullpen showing, the Mets continue to find ways to win—no matter the opponent or the weather.
