Mets' offense explodes with seven-run fourth inning in 8-0 win over Nationals

The Mets' bats woke up in a big way, scoring seven runs in the fourth inning en route to an 8-0 win over the Washington Nationals on Tuesday night. Here are the key takeaways... -- Bo Bichette smacked a leadoff home run to right-center field on the first pitch he saw from Zack Littell to give the Mets a 1-0 lead.

It's his second homer of the season and seventh career leadoff HR. -- The Mets waited until the fourth inning to record their next hit on MJ Melendez ' one-out single. That got New York going as Mark Vientos and Brett Baty both walked to load the bases for Marcus Semien , who's grounder got under Jorbit Vivas ' glove at third base, allowing two runners to score.

Carson Benge then came through with a two-RBI single and Bichette tacked on another with a a sac-fly, making it 6-0. New York's biggest inning of the year continued as Juan Soto launched a two-run home run to left-center field, pushing the lead to 8-0. -- Clay Holmes retired the first seven Nationals he faced before letting up a one-out single to Drew Millas in the top of the third inning.

The right-hander then walked James Wood with two outs to give Washington a scoring chance, but was able to win his first challenge of the night by striking out Luis García Jr. to end the frame. Holmes kept it going through the sixth inning, getting three groundouts to keep Washington scoreless.