Carson Benge launched a major league debut home run to power the New York Mets to a 11-7 Opening Day victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 23-year-old rookie connected for his first career hit in his fourth major league plate appearance, sprinting around the bases to a sellout crowd of 41,449 at Citi Field. Benge walked twice and stole a base, adding to his debut highlight reel. His parents and girlfriend were among the 22 family members in attendance, witnessing his emotional moment. Manager Carlos Mendoza praised Benge's consistency, calling him the organization's second-best prospect. Benge struck out swinging in his first at-bat against reigning NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes, then walked and scored in the fifth inning. He later drove an 82 mph chopper to right field, joining Kazuo Matsui as the only Mets players to homer on Opening Day at home. Teammate Bo Bichette noted Benge's celebratory jump around first base, calling it 'awesome.'

New York's pitching staff dominated early, with Freddy Peralta winning his Mets debut with seven strikeouts and no walks in five innings. Tobias Myers followed with three innings of one-run ball. The Mets chased starter Paul Skenes in the first inning and maintained an errorless game at third base and first base, with Luis Robert Jr. and Jorge Polanco providing key hits. The team didn't issue a single walk, showcasing early cohesion despite several newcomers adjusting to major league roles.

Benge's performance capped a promising start to the season for the Mets, who will look to build on this victory as they navigate a crowded playoff race. The win provided a strong foundation for a team featuring several high-profile acquisitions and young stars like Benge, who expressed excitement about the 'great atmosphere' and 'great fans' he encountered.