HOUSTON (AP) — Juan Soto hit his first homer with the New York Mets, helping his new team beat the Houston Astros 3-1 on Friday night. With two out in the third inning, Soto drove a 1-2 pitch from Hunter Brown deep to right for a solo shot that lifted New York to a 3-0 lead.

Francisco Lindor, the Mets’ charismatic shortstop, has been effusive in his praise for Soto. In a recent GQ interview, Lindor remarked, “He’s elite. I’ve seen elite players. But he’s elite elite.”