Josh Jung makes early exit against White Sox

Contreras homered immediately after Wilyer Abreu tied the game with a solo shot off Luis Medina. It was his 23rd of the year, putting him one away from matching his career high from 2019. He’s tied for 13th in the majors in homers, tied for 15th with 67 RBI and is in fourth place with his .945 OPS.

The Red Sox didn’t take their first lead until the eighth, but that still worked out for Gray, who picked up his 13th win of the year. He’s tied with Cristopher Sánchez for the major league lead in the category, and he’s just one away from matching his career high of 14, which he set in his first full season in 2014 and matched in 2015 and again in 2025. He’ll face the White Sox next week.

Chapman very nearly gave up a game-tying homer to light-hitting Alika Williams, but the 406-foot shot to center bounced off the wall for a double. It was farthest Williams had ever hit a ball in 321 major league plate appearances. Chapman went on to strand the runner by striking out both Colby Thomas and Nick Kurtz. It was Chapman’s second straight appearance and third in four days, so if the Red Sox have a save chance on Friday, it figures to go to Garrett Whitlock.

All of the runs came in the fifth after a leadoff HBP and three groundball hits, only the first of which was a hard-hit ball. The big blow, a two-run double by Ceddanne Rafaela, could have at least been knocked down by Tommy White at third, even if it wasn’t turned into an out. Barnett allowed just one hit and one walk prior to the fifth. His ERA increased tonight, but it was a solid showing that should help his chances of getting another start. Whether that happens right away will probably hinge on J.T. Ginn’s availability as he looks to return from the IL next week.

Duran was extremely disappointed that he didn’t instead go 0-for-3 with a sac fly and made his displeasure known to Willson Contreras, who did not tag up from third on Duran’s 245-foot fly to left in the sixth. Contreras, though, most likely would been out had he tried to run on Tyler Soderstrom’s arm and pretty clearly made the right decision. Regardless, Duran’s gestures on his way off the field and in the dugout afterwards were completely uncalled for. Even though they’d be selling low in a big way, one wonders if the Red Sox still might choose to subtract Duran before the trade deadline.

Let the fire sale begin. Will Sammon of The Athletic adds that the Mets will receive minor leaguers Bruin Agbayani and Billy Amick back in return for Minter. The 32-year-old southpaw has been terrific for the Mets this season, posting a 2.35 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and a 20/2 K/BB ratio over 23 innings in 23 appearances. His arrival will go a long way towards bolstering the Twins’ bullpen.

The Mets got a two-out rally started in the eighth as Bo Bichette doubled and Carson Benge followed with a single and a stolen base. Robert then smacked a single into left field that plated both of them, proving to be the difference in the ballgame. He finished the night 1-for-4 and is now slashing a disappointing .202/.300/.333 with four homers, 12 RBI and two stolen bases in his first 130 plate appearances with the Mets.

Benge smacked a two-out single in the eighth inning, swiped second base and scored on Luis Robert’s go-ahead two-run single that proved to be the difference in the contest. The 23-year-old rookie outfielder has been a bright spot in an otherwise bleak season for the Mets, slashing .261/.324/.391 with 11 homers, 41 RBI and 17 stolen bases.

As always, Williams made things interesting in the ninth inning by allowing a leadoff walk to Heriberto Hernandez. He battled back though to strike out Griffin Conine and Jakob Marsee before getting Javier Sanoja to pop out to second base to end it. Williams continues to bring his ratios down as the season progresses, now sporting a still unsavory 4.29 ERA and 1.63 WHIP to go with his 16 saves in 19 attempts.

McLean racked up six strikeouts on the evening while issuing a pair of walks. All of the damage done against him came on solo home runs — one by Kyle Stowers in the fourth and another off the bat of Jakob Marsee in the seventh. The 25-year-old hurler generated 10 swings and misses on 99 pitches on the night, posting a CSW of 27 percent. He’ll carry an impressive 3.29 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and a 148/45 K/BB ratio (125 2/3 innings) into Thursday’s battle against the Guardians in Cleveland.