NEW YORK -- Juan Soto hit a three-run homer during a six-run fourth inning that vaulted the New York Mets to a pivotal 12-6 win over the Washington Nationals on Friday night. The Mets, who trailed 4-1 after three innings, began the night with a two-game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks for the third NL wild card. Francisco Alvarez had a tying two-run double and Francisco Lindor hit the go-ahead run-scoring single before Soto’s career best 42nd home run of the season. Soto had 41 homers for the Yankees last season before signing a record $765 million contract with the Mets. Lindor finished with three hits and three runs while Brandon Nimmo had a two-run single in the eighth. Pete Alonso, Starling Marte and Luisangel Acuña had an RBI apiece. CJ Abrams homered and had three RBIs for the las

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