Cole steady in no-decision; Soto named GCL MVP

Right-hander A.J. Cole had given up a lot of hits but held the Mets to only three runs in five innings. The fifth inning was their biggest rally, beginning with a Yoenis Cespedes single and then an RBI triple from Curtis Granderson. The extra-base hit gave the Mets a 2-1 lead. A sacrifice fly to center field from T.J. Rivera made it 3-1 Mets.

Cole walked two and struck out six. He allowed at least one base hit each inning, but kept the Mets off the board in the first, second and fourth frames.

It was his second start against the Mets. On September 2, he notched the 4-1 win when he gave up just one run in six innings at Citi Field.

"I felt pretty good," Cole said. "I faced them before, the Mets. Second time through, they were going to know how I throw. I tried going out, mixing it up. A couple times, I felt like I forced a couple pitches in there, but I felt like I made pretty good pitches for the most part.

"I couldn't just go out and go after them the same way I did last time. I had to go back and forth a lot, change speeds, and really concentrate on hitting my spots."

Rivera, who hit the game-winning solo shot, had a single and two RBIs against Cole.

"He hit good pitches," Cole said. "I left one out, maybe a little over the plate. He hit some good pitches today."

After leaving the game, Cole went back to the clubhouse for treatment and checked in on his team. He was thrilled to see them rally for the tie in the ninth.

"I always love watching the game," Cole said. "I try to go in there and keep my team in it, keep giving them a chance to win and they come back fighting. They never give up, any time through it, and our team we've got a great team here. They're always fighting to win. We're trying to put together something, and we almost did."

Gulf Coast Nationals outfielder Juan Soto earned postseason All-Star accolades after a tremendous season. The 17-year-old hit .361 with 11 doubles, three triples, five homers and 31 RBIs in 45 games and was named the GCL Most Valuable Player. The rightfielder was promoted to short-season Auburn to finish the season and excelled with the Doubledays as well, hitting .429 in six games, with three doubles and three walks.