Mets slugger Juan Soto hits career-high 42nd homer in first year of $765 million contract

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Washington Nationals catcher Jorge Alfaro, left, watches as New York Mets' Juan Soto hits a three-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Mets' Juan Soto runs the bases after hitting a three-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) — Washington Nationals catcher Jorge Alfaro, left, watches as New York Mets' Juan Soto hits a three-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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6:09 PM on Friday, September 19

By JERRY BEACH

NEW YORK (AP) — Juan Soto hit his career-high 42nd homer Friday night, reaching the milestone in the first year of his record $765 million contract with the New York Mets.

Soto’s 419-foot, three-run shot to straightaway center capped a six-run rally in the fourth inning against Washington and and topped his previous career high, set last season with the crosstown Yankees.

The 26-year-old Soto signed his 15-year deal with the Mets in December. He's the eighth player this century to have consecutive 40-homer seasons for different clubs. Shohei Ohtani accomplished the feat when he hit 44 homers for the Los Angeles Angels in 2023 before going deep 54 times for the Dodgers last year.

The homer increased Soto’s RBI total to 103, seven shy of his career high set with the Nationals in 2019.

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