KANSAS CITY — Frankie Montas might have gotten a late start this season, but he’s making up for lost time.
In just his fourth outing for the Mets, Montas worked five-plus strong innings on a sweltering day as New York held off the Royals, 3-1, on Saturday at Kauffman Stadium. It was the second win for Montas in a week, and it provided another encouraging sign that he might be primed for a big second half after a right lat strain derailed the early portion of his season.
The Mets couldn’t get much going offensively against the Royals, who went with a bullpen approach after scheduled starter Michael Lorenzen turned ill on Saturday morning. Juan Soto provided most of the attack with a two-run homer to right field in the fourth that traveled a Statcast-projected 435 feet.
Otherwise, it was up to the New York pitching staff to hold on. Montas surrendered back-to-back doubles to Kyle Isbel and Jonathan India to open the sixth as the Royals drew within 2-1. But reliever Reed Garrett came on, and after Garrett’s throwing error moved India to third, the right-hander managed to strand India and preserve the New York lead. Edwin Díaz worked the final two innings for his first six-out save of the season.