In a game where Grimace is the newest Mets mascot, New York’s homers helped them climb above .500 for the first time since May, beating the Astros 7-2 with their MLB-best June form.

Thanks to home runs from Tyrone Taylor, Pete Alonso, and Jeff McNeil, the Mets surged back over .500 with a decisive 7-2 win against the Astros. The game was a showcase of their red-hot June performance, which now tops the league. As Grimace charmed the crowd, the team locked in their 40th win, giving fans hope that their long-suffering mascot might just be their new lucky charm.

The Mets wasted no time in making their mark on the game. Jose Altuve momentarily silenced the crowd with a first-pitch home run, but it wasn’t long before the fans found their voices again. By the bottom of the first, Francisco Alvarez’s sacrifice fly had already tied the game. It was just the beginning of a dominant performance from New York.

Pete Alonso’s go-ahead home run was a pivotal moment in the game. He helped the Mets take the lead, and they never looked back. Tyrone Taylor also sent a ball flying over the fence, much to the delight of the fans who had been growing accustomed to the Mets' power display throughout June.

The real turning point came in the seventh inning when Jeff McNeil capitalized on Alex Bregman’s error. McNeil’s first homer since May 22 drove in three insurance runs, effectively removing any hope of a comeback for the Astros. It was as if Bregman handed McNeil a golden ticket, but instead of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, it led to a Mets victory.

Mets starting pitcher Jose Quintana had a rollercoaster outing. He gave up two runs on six hits and needed 93 pitches to record 12 outs. Still, Quintana managed to strike out seven batters over four innings, keeping the damage relatively contained until the bullpen took over. Perhaps Quintana was just trying to keep the fans on the edge of their seats.

The Mets bullpen was nothing short of stellar. Dedniel Nunez gave fans a nail-biting moment when he loaded the bases in the seventh, but he managed to retire Mauricio Dubon to end the inning without allowing any runs. The following innings saw four relievers combine to scatter six hits over five scoreless frames, keeping the Astros at bay and securing the win for New York. Talk about a heart-stopper in a good way!

On the offensive front, Francisco Lindor added an RBI double in the eighth inning to further solidify the Mets' lead. Despite their competitive performance in June with a record of 15-8, the Astros couldn’t keep up with the Mets' firepower. Perhaps the Astros should consider playing with fire extinguishers instead!

Grimace, the odd yet endearing new mascot, has quickly become a fan favorite. He threw out the first pitch earlier in the month and continues to energize the crowd in ways more orthodox mascots might only dream of. It’s hard to say whether it’s his unique charm or mere coincidence, but the Mets certainly seem to be thriving in his presence.

Astros fans couldn’t be blamed for feeling frustrated. Despite the loss, this has been a strong month for them. However, the pesky boos following Altuve thanks to his involvement in the sign-stealing scandal continue to haunt the team. The scene at Citi Field was no different, but it seemed to rattle them less than the Mets' batting prowess did.

As the Mets celebrated their return above .500 for the first time since May 2, the victory felt more like a new beginning than a modest milestone. Sitting at a 40-39 record, the team has the momentum and the hunger to aim higher in the coming months. It remains to be seen whether this will mark a significant turning point for the long-suffering franchise, but for now, the fans have every reason to hope. After all, they're on the rise faster than the price of ballpark hot dogs.