Bregman delivers big hit in 8th as surging Astros rally from 5 runs down to beat Mets 9-6

NEW YORK (AP) — Alex Bregman put Houston ahead with a two-run single in the eighth inning, and the surging Astros rallied from five runs down to beat the New York Mets 9-6 on Saturday.

“It did not start the way we want it to. But again, our guys just persevere and we stay in the game," manager Joe Espada said. "It's a great team win. The bullpen — phenomenal job.”

Jake Meyers homered early and Jeremy Peña began Houston's biggest comeback of the season with a two-run double off starter Tylor Megill in the fourth that was followed by Jon Singleton's RBI single.

After their seven-game win streak was snapped Friday night in the series opener, the Astros (41-41) won for the 11th time in 15 games.

“It's huge,” Bregman said. “Tomorrow's a huge game as well, just to keep that momentum rolling and keep everything going.”

New York still led 6-4 in the eighth, but a taxed and injury-tattered bullpen minus suspended closer Edwin Díaz couldn't hold on. Mark Vientos homered for the Mets (40-40), who had won four straight and 16 of 20.

Jake Diekman and Reed Garrett (7-3) combined to walk four Houston hitters in the eighth. Garrett threw a run-scoring wild pitch with two outs, then gave up Bregman's go-ahead single to right field on a full-count pitch.

“He's used to those big moments,” teammate Mauricio Dubón said about Bregman.

Dubón added a two-run double off Danny Young with two outs in the ninth. Meyers reached safely four times and scored a career-high four runs.

“I got to a point where I was competing with everything I got out there tonight, and it just didn't fall my way,” Garrett said. "I thought I did a good job of getting ahead of guys, but I just couldn't put ‘em away. Sometimes that’s how it is. It stinks.”

Seth Martinez (3-2) pitched a perfect seventh for the win after starter Framber Valdez, hurt by shoddy defense, permitted six runs and 10 hits in 4 2/3 innings.

Ryan Pressly worked a scoreless eighth and Josh Hader got three quick outs for his 12th save in 13 opportunities, evening a three-game set between baseball's two hottest teams this month.

“We've got some studs out there,” Bregman said. “When they come in with a lead, it's nice.”

Pete Alonso's two-run single capped a five-run second, when the Mets took advantage of Valdez's error and two other defensive miscues to open a 5-1 lead.

“That inning was definitely challenging. It was one of those stumbles that happen in the middle of the game. We wanted to try to stay afloat, try to swim, and just try to keep the team in the game,” Valdez said through a translator. “This is a team that doesn’t give up.”

Vientos lined a 429-foot solo homer to center field in the third. Singing sensation Jose Iglesias had three hits for the Mets — two doubles and an RBI infield single.

New York, which won its previous eight home games, has homered in 12 straight overall.

Houston improved to 10-2 against the Mets since 2017.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Astros: RHP Jake Bloss (shoulder discomfort) is scheduled to throw a bullpen Sunday. If it goes well, he might be a candidate to rejoin the rotation after he's eligible to come off the injured list July 7. Bloss got hurt in his major league debut June 21. ... RHP Justin Verlander (neck discomfort) is feeling better and could play catch this week, Espada said. ... RHP Luis Garcia (Tommy John surgery) woke up feeling good and is expected to make his next rehab start at a different affiliate. Garcia threw 12 pitches in a perfect inning during his first rehab outing Friday in the rookie-level Florida Complex League.

UP NEXT

Mets RHP Luis Severino (5-2, 3.29 ERA) pitches the series finale Sunday. He is 2-4 with a 4.93 ERA against the Astros and hasn't beaten them since May 2018 with the Yankees. Houston had not announced a starter and could go with a bullpen game.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

New York Mets pitcher Tylor Megill throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, June 29, 2024, in New York. The Mets debuted uniform patches Saturday honoring Willie Mays and Jerry Grote that will remain on all their jerseys for the rest of the season. A circular patch with Mays' No. 24 was added to the left sleeve of the City Connect tops New York wore for its home game against the Astros. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

New York Mets' Jose Iglesias celebrates after hitting a double during the third inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, June 29, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

Houston Astros' Jeremy Peña (3)runs to score on a single hit by Jon Singleton during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Saturday, June 29, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

Houston Astros pitcher Framber Valdez throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, June 29, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

Houston Astros first baseman Jon Singleton catches a ball in foul territory hit by New York Mets' Pete Alonso during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, June 29, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

Houston Astros third base coach Gary Pettis, left, greets Jake Meyers as Meyers' heads home after hitting a home run in the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Saturday, June 29, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

Houston Astros' Jake Meyers runs after hitting a home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Saturday, June 29, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

Houston Astros' Trey Cabbage, left, and Jeremy Peña celebrate after both scored on a single hit by Alex Bregman during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Saturday, June 29, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

WEST BATH, Maine (AP) — A man who confessed to killing his parents and two of their friends and wounding three people in a highway shooting pleaded guilty to murder and other charges on Monday, and a judge sentenced him to the maximum term of life in prison.

Joseph Eaton has never provided an explanation for the crimes he admitted to committing in Maine last year, and police have not publicly announced any motive. Eaton withdrew an insanity defense late last year.

Defense lawyer Andrew Wright said Eaton chose to plead guilty to take responsibility, believing it was the “reasonable and moral” thing to do.

Anguished family members described sleepless nights, nightmares and loss of innocence during emotional testimony given before Eaton's sentencing.

One of them called Eaton “a selfish little boy” who took the lives of the very people who cared most for him.

Eaton looked down at the defense table during much of the testimony, and apologized afterward. “I wake up every day regretting what I did," he said. Of his life sentence, he added, “I honestly think I deserve more. All I can say is, I’m sorry."

Law enforcement officials say Eaton, now 35, confessed to fatally shooting his parents and two of their friends at the friends' property in the rural town of Bowdoin. He also confessed to shooting at vehicles on Interstate 295 in Yarmouth, which left three people wounded. The crimes took place days after Eaton was released from a Maine prison for unrelated crimes. He has been in jail since his latest arrest.

Killed were David Eaton, 66, and Cynthia Eaton, 62, who had picked her son up from prison on April 14; and longtime friends Robert Eger, 72, and Patti Eger, 62. Also killed was the Egers' dog, which led authorities to add animal cruelty to the list of charges against Joseph Eaton.

Superior Court Justice Daniel Billings noted that Eaton killed the very family and friends who were waiting to welcome him back into society after he was released from prison. “It leaves me without words,” he said.

Authorities say Eaton killed his parents and their friends “on or about" April 17, 2023. The victims' bodies were found the following morning, on the same day authorities say he fired shots at cars on I-295 in Yarmouth, about 12 miles (20 kilometers) outside of Portland, Maine's biggest city. Eaton faced separate indictments because the attacks at the Bowdoin home and on the highway happened in different counties.

Maine Public Safety Commissioner Michael Sauschuck called the shootings “an attack on the soul of our state." Months later, an Army reservist who lived in Bowdoin killed 18 people at two locations in the city of Lewiston, in what would become the state's deadliest mass shooting.

Police still haven't announced any motive for Eaton's crimes.

An unsigned note found at the scene of the killings mentioned “someone being freed of pain and that the writer of the note wanted a new life,” according to a criminal affidavit. Eaton told the Portland Press Herald newspaper in jailhouse interviews that he was not in control of his actions at the time of the shootings and didn't understand why he did it.

Eaton pleaded guilty on Monday to more than a dozen charges, including four counts of murder and three counts of aggravated attempted murder. He received the maximum penalty for each of them.

Authorities say Eaton also has a criminal history in Florida and Kansas.

Joseph Eaton, who confessed to killing four people and injuring three others, is seen in court for a change-of-plea court hearing on Monday, July 1, 2024, in West Bath, Maine. (AP Photo/David Sharp)

FILE - Friends of shooting victim Patricia Eger gather at a Christian organization where she volunteered in Lisbon Falls, Maine, Thursday, April 20, 2023. Joseph Eaton, who's charged with killing four people, including Eger, and injuring three others, is due in court Monday, July 1, 2024, for a plea hearing which his lawyer said will resolve all of his criminal charges. (AP Photo/Patrick Whittle, File)

FILE - Investigators work at the scene of a shooting where four people were killed on April 18, 2023, in Bowdoin, Maine. Joseph Eaton, who's charged with killing four people and injuring three others, is due in court Monday, July 1, 2024, for a plea hearing which his lawyer said will resolve all of his criminal charges. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File)

FILE - Joseph Eaton walks into a courtroom at West Bath District Court for his arraignment, July 28, 2023, in West Bath, Maine. Eaton, who confessed to killing his parents and their friends and firing at motorists on a busy highway after being released from prison, plans to enter pleas that will bring the criminal case to a conclusion, his lawyer said. (Brianna Soukup/Portland Press Herald via AP, Pool, File)