Mets Remain Hot, Topple Royals to Open Weekend Set

 The New York Mets remain red hot on Friday, toppling the Kansas City Royals 6-1 at Citi Field to open a six-game home stand. The victory cements the Mets sixth victory in its last eight games, and comes a day after the Amazin's plated 16 runs against the Atlanta Braves on Thursday. 

Brett Baty and Jeff McNeil continue to rake for the Mets. Baty had two hits, including a two-run double in the fifth inning that extended the Mets lead to 5-1. 

Baty is now riding a seven game hitting streak. 

McNeil slapped three hits on Friday, showing more signs that his early season slump is a thing of the past. 

McNeil drove in the go-ahead run in the fourth inning. 

Meanwhile, Pete Alonso laced his sixth home run of the year, when he smacked a laser that just got over the left-center field wall for a solo homer in the eighth inning. 

Luis Severino struggled with his command, but found a way to tough out five innings, allowing only one run - a solo blast by Salvador Perez, while striking out four and walking four. Severino is now 1-1 on the year for the Amazin's. 

The Mets (6-7) snapped the Royals seven game winning streak, and in so doing, are only a half game back of Philadelphia for second place. New York remains 2.5 back of Atlanta for first in the NL East.