The New York Mets, who are 6-1 at home, have defended Citi Field as well as they could’ve hoped for to start the season. They beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-1 on Thursday thanks to Mark Vientos’ first homer of the season, Brett Baby’s RBI single, Francisco Lindor’s two-run single, and lights-out pitching by Griffin Canning and company.

The right-hander allowed one run on three hits and notched eight strikeouts in six innings. The bullpen followed up with three shutout innings to secure the victory.

Baty, who’s slashing just .209/.209/.302, went 2-for-3 in the contest. Mets (12-7) manager Carlos Mendoza sounded off about the infielder postgame.

“With Baty, yesterday he hit a line drive over the shortstop’s head on a fastball that was 95-plus [miles per hour],” he said. “That’s a good sign, when he’s staying inside the baseball but also pulling the ball like he did today. Not missing pitches, on time, and that’s a good sign…He’s showing the things that he’s capable of doing.”

Thursday was the 25-year-old’s first multi-hit game of the season.

“Vientos is fine, Baty is showing the things he’s capable of doing”

Carlos Mendoza talks about Brett Baty and Mark Vientos at the plate: pic.twitter.com/PtmQLjs6zj

"Vientos is fine, Baty is showing the things he's capable of doing"

Carlos Mendoza talks about Brett Baty and Mark Vientos at the plate: pic.twitter.com/PtmQLjs6zj

— SNY (@SNYtv) April 18, 2025

Baty has been with New York his entire MLB career. The club drafted him No. 12 overall in 2019 and he made his big-league debut in 2022. He had his best season in 2023, slashing .212/.275/.323 with nine homers and 34 RBI in 108 appearances.

Baty is fighting to keep a roster spot ahead of Jeff McNeil (oblique) as the latter infielder continues his rehab.

The Mets will host the Cardinals (9-10) for three more contests before a three-game set with the Philadelphia Phillies.