NEW YORK (AP) — Brett Baty hit a two-run homer that capped a five-run first inning for the New York Mets, who beat the San Diego Padres 8-3 on Tuesday night to win consecutive games for the first time in two weeks.

Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso and Cedric Mullins also went deep as the Mets improved to 4-9 this month. They won their second straight following an eight-game losing streak — their longest since 2018.

New York began the night 1 1/2 games ahead of Arizona in a four-team race for the final National League wild card.

Brandon Nimmo had an RBI single in the first and Jeff McNeil delivered a two-run double off an ineffective Michael King in the opener of a three-game series between NL playoff contenders.

Jackson Merrill, Jake Cronenworth and Freddy Fermin homered for the Padres, w

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