YA author Julie Soto on her new thriller, ‘The Thrashers,' and the fanfiction-to-published pipeline
Set in the fictional, cutthroat New Helvetia High, the novel centers on Jodi, an outcast within an elite group of friends known as The Thrashers, led by her best friend and long-time crush, Zack. The group's impenetrable inner circle becomes threatened when their classmate, Emily Mills, a wannabe Thrasher, suddenly dies. As the Thrashers become the center of a police investigation, Jodi unearths more and more clues that make her question if she really knows her friends, or if they were ever friends at all.
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The novel marks Soto's first venture into young adult fiction
and
her first novel stemming from a wholly original world. Both of her contemporary romances —
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Soto will celebrate the release of 'The Thrashers' with an event at
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Q. So I binged your book.
A.
Oh my gosh!
Q. 'The Thrashers' dramatizes a lot of the
struggles
of teen friendships
. Did you draw from your own experiences when crafting these dynamics?
A.
I feel like, for a lot of us, that feeling of 'Am I really a part of this friend group?' never leaves us. I [had been part of] an outside theater company and there was something really interesting about the dynamics there. It's like you got cast into this clique of people. There was something that I liked about that for 'The Thrashers.' I wanted to examine: What does it feel like when you have nothing in common with your friends except for the fact that you care about each other?
Q. About Jodi
, how did you balance writing a flawed character
but also someone that you want readers to root for?
A.
The first thing I began with Jodi was the idea that we've all been in a position where we sacrifice something to maintain our comfort. The difficulty I faced with Jodi was not making it so that she was a moral compass the entire book, because The Thrashers don't keep people like that around.
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Q. I got
enemies-to-lovers energy from Jodi and [fellow Thrasher] Julian. Can
readers expect to see them again in a potential sequel?
A.
That is my greatest hope. I want a million more 'Thrashers' books. My next young adult thriller follows a different group of people, but there will be one very small connection.
Q. 'The Thrashers
"
deals with the topic of teen suicide, something you
explored
in your 2014
musical 'Generation Me.' What was important to you during these writing processes?
A.
What I find interesting about the topic is that there's such a sense of survivor's guilt.
Why is it them? And why is it not me? What could I have done differently in this situation?
And most of the time, the answer is nothing. But it's still that question that you're choking on through this entire grieving process.
Q.
You did a workshop for
'Generation Me'
What was that experience like?
A.
Theater is exasperating sometimes because it's like, 'Oh, my gosh, this worked so well, now let's change it.' We were going through edits and ways to feel out if there were tighter ways to do things, so we utilized the talent at Boston Conservatory. It was great. Boston was a perfect place. It was like we were getting out of New York City, while still feeling a bustle and an art scene, and the safety of working with the Boston Conservatory,
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Q. Switching gears to fanfiction. I hope you know that
.
A.
Oh, my gosh! I'm so glad!
Q. How did you navigate going from writing for an unsanitized, 'anything goes' space like an independent platform like AO3
to writing for a commercial market and publisher
?
A.
It is so different, but at the same time, I learned everything I know about writing from AO3. There's no middleman between you and your audience. And there are so many middlemen in
[traditional] publishing. My friend [author] Ali Hazelwood wanted to call her most recent book 'Whet.' One of the major retailers said 'no,' and they changed the title to 'Deep End.'
And no one has that power over you in fanfiction. You can use Taylor Swift songs as the title of your fanfic! I loved that title, so I started the hashtag #KeepItWhet, and now there are special editions of that book coming out with an alternate cover. I'm like,
exactly
. Give the people what they want!
Q.
Does your connection with the characters you're writing about feel different when you create them from scratch vs. when they're pre-existing, like in fanfiction?
A.
When I'm strictly writing fanfiction, the relationship to the characters is specifically tied to the things I find interesting about the property. When it comes to writing my own characters, 'The Thrashers' [features] the very first original characters I ever wrote. It's almost more in conversation with yourself and the people who make up
your
life, than it is to be in conversation with another creator's characters and world.
Q. Your next romance
novel,
is out this July
and is the first in an upcoming trilogy inspired by one of your Dramione fanfictions.
While your previous novels featured similar challenges, was it difficult to remove a story from the existing Harry Potter universe and build something from scratch
?
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A.
Yeah, I reworked and completely stripped out and rebuilt that story, but it'll feel very familiar to people who've read my fanfiction. The good thing about fanfiction is that, most of the time, the plot is yours. I had to start with plot and refashion characters that suited those circumstances. I built a world that feels far more like a Westeros, almost, that feels more politically complex. There are multiple countries, and some of them leave each other alone, some of them have been in silent war for years. I looked at other fantasy worlds and decided: Where did I want to go? Where did I want to live with this story to live?
So, to answer your question, it was very hard.
Julie Soto will be in conversation with cardiologist
/
romance novelist Shirlene Obuobi
, May 5, 7-9 p.m. Lovestruck Books, 44 Brattle St., Cambridge.
. Tickets required, $33.85, includes copy of book.
Interview was edited and condensed.
Marianna Orozco can be reached at
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Welcome to our 2025 Delaware Summer Guide
And just like that, summer is nearly here. Visit us on Delaware Online for more stories every week about the beaches, as well as fairs and festivals, concerts and family fun, downtowns and museums and so much more. We will offer all the details you need for active recreation including camping, golfing, surf fishing, cycling, hiking and pickleball, water sports, boat rides and even Skee-ball. Visit us often for photo galleries from the Riverfront to the beaches, and everywhere in between, as well as updates on summer concerts, arts events, family fun and all the things that will make summer in Small Wonder all it can be. Memorial Day weekend is in the books, and the month of June is starting at the Delaware beaches. Insert sunglasses emoji here. While it was slightly easier than usual to find parking last weekend, there were some sure signs of tourism: Traffic stalled in Dewey Beach, long lines for Thrasher's fries and teens carrying out loud, awkward mating rituals on the boardwalk at night. (Overheard: "Hey, my friend likes you!") Some rebels in Delaware and Maryland will celebrate the Fourth of July in June, while others will keep the patriotic party going past the holiday. Of course, plenty of folks will observe America's 249th birthday right on July 4. Delaware isn't messing around when it comes to summer concerts this year, and some of them are already on pace to sell out. Here are 33 major concerts, including legendary artists across various genres, that will grace the First State this summer. Dining outdoors is one of the best aspects of summer. It's not hard to find a seat in Delaware where you can enjoy an al fresco restaurant experience. The backyard barbecue vibes are strong at the Crooked Hammock Brewery with locations in Lewes and Middletown. The Summer House in Rehoboth Beach has a "summer garden" adjoining the Rehoboth Avenue restaurant. It has chairs, tables with umbrellas, a large fountain, and seats at a long counter that faces the town's main thoroughfare. The best time to see the ancient wonders that are horseshoe crabs is now, as they return to Delaware Bay beaches for spawning season. Horseshoe crabs first developed 540 million years ago in the Paleozoic era, more closely related to arachnids than crabs. The amazing arthropods lived through the age and extinction of dinosaurs and many, many other species, and are sometimes called "living fossils." Today, the shallows of the Delaware and Chesapeake bays are essential habitat for one of the four living horseshoe crab species: the Atlantic horseshoe crab. Check out our photos from the Delaware beaches on the unofficial kickoff of Summer 2025 season. Memorial Day was the unofficial start of summertime, and parents will soon be bargaining with their teens about summer curfews after days at the beach and nighttime hang outs in Delaware. And while there's no statewide curfew, here's what parents need to know about curfew laws in several popular towns and locations in Delaware. Delaware offers a wide variety of public golf courses throughout the state. Courses range from short par-3 layouts to challenging championship courses. Terrain varies from hilly and tree-lined in the north to flatter and sandier in the south. If you're looking for some fresh air, exercise and the thrills and frustrations a round of golf can bring, the First State has you covered. Delaware's three counties boast dozens of golf courses open to the public, from par-3 layouts you can zip around in two hours to full-length, hazard-strewn championship courses that can provide all the challenge you can handle The state's varied terrain leads to a wide variety of layouts. Northern Delaware is known for its hilly, tree-lined courses. Southern Delaware shows off with flatter, sandier courses with plenty of water-lined holes. It's unofficially the start of summer this weekend: Memorial Day weekend. Here is what it's looking like right now at Rehoboth Beach as well as at beaches from Ocean City, Maryland, to the Hamptons in New York. Check out these live webcams. Memorial Day is fun almost here, and the fashion police are already salty – because they'll have to wait months before they can ticket Delawareans for rocking white after Labor Day. As a heads up, make sure your pedicure game is strong this summer – because questionable toes in flip-flops or open-toe shoes? That could land you an indecent exposure charge. As you rummage through your closet for the perfect Memorial Day outfit, here are some can't-miss entertainment events in the First State where you can show off your style over the holiday weekend. Festival season is just getting started in Delaware, and will soon be in full swing. This whirlwind of events will hit every part of the state, and aims to hit every interest. Here's a preview of notable fests that will awake from hibernation this spring and summer. Hardly a day goes by at the Delaware beaches in the summertime without some festival or concert or show to entertain the masses, but there are a few events that simply can't be missed. If you'll be at the Delaware beaches this season, here are the events you need to put on your calendar. With summer traffic and parking being what it is at the Delaware beaches, using public transportation is a no-brainer. Let someone else navigate Coastal Highway while you scroll on your phone. Get dropped off right at the boardwalk rather than parking blocks away from beach. Pay a few bucks to get driven around all day, as opposed to paying the same hourly for something missing?: 21 things Delaware beaches need to be more fun: beach concerts, swim-up bars, IMAX & more If all that sounds good, these are your options. Update your ParkMobile app now because pay-to-park season has begun at Delaware beaches. How much? During what hours? Where exactly? Can I use a credit card? What is the meaning of life? Don't get overwhelmed; we have answers to all your questions below. Well, mostly. Here are the prices of a few things you're likely to purchase on a day at the Delaware beaches: $4 an hour for parking $3.75 for a slice of Grotto pizza $3 for a bottle of water $7.50 for a small order of Thrasher's fries $5 for a Kohr Bros. frozen custard cone $20 for a T-shirt Multiply the total by the number of people in your family and a beach vacation may seem financially out of reach. One-stop summer planning: Welcome to our 2025 Delaware Summer Guide Money's tight, but that doesn't mean you can't have a good time at the Delaware beaches. After all, the sand and the surf are free, you just have to be frugal with the basics. Longwood Gardens isn't just a flowery name; it's a floral paradise. When guests sneak a peek behind Longwood's veil of rose petals, they'll find a world-class horticulture destination decorated with over 1,000 acres of vibrant foliage, fountains and more. While Longwood is open year-round, the summer is naturally an attractive time for many visitors around the globe to tour the gardens. Here's a preview of what you should know before making a stop at Longwood this summer. Another Delaware beach town now has a curfew for minors. The Rehoboth Beach Board of Commissioners on May 16 voted to establish a curfew for anyone under 18. Between 11 and 5 a.m. daily, juveniles are not permitted in public places or privately owned businesses unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. Rehoboth Beach Police Department Chief Keith Banks asked the commission to adopt the law at the May 16 meeting. The department has seen a 110% increase in juvenile arrests over the past three years, he said. If you're looking for a low-cost summer 'day-cation,' try the nature centers throughout Delaware. They provide indoor and outdoor education and recreation, with displays on history, art and the environment – some with live animals – along with places to hike, special programs with nature experts and even picnics and concerts. Some also offer day camps for kids. For this story, we focused on nature centers operated by the Delaware Nature Society, state parks and the state Division of Fish and Wildlife. Centers more focused on history or art were included if they also offered nature programs. Springtime means flowers blooming, bees buzzing and tourists returning to the Delaware beaches. Locals, too, will be in the sand more now that temperatures are warming up, so what's changed during the off-season? Changes at the beaches are related to parking, tents and lifeguards, depending on which beach you're going to. Know before you go to save time and frustration. Here's what's different at the Delaware beaches since last summer: There's a big world outside of the Small Wonder worth exploring this summer. Don't believe us? Here's a preview of some major events near Delaware worth a mini road trip this spring and early summer. Two heavy hitters in the weather forecasting business have weighed in with their summer predictions: AccuWeather and The Old Farmer's Almanac. One is predicting slightly higher temperatures but near average rainfall for Delaware, while the other is forecasting warmer and drier weather compared with the averages. AccuWeather unveiled its summer forecast April 30, in a report by Brian Lada, meteorologist and senior content editor. Founded in 1962, AccuWeather has more than 100 meteorologists using more than 190 forecast models serving 100 TV stations, over 400 radio stations and 700 newspapers. In the Mid-Atlantic corridor along the East Coast, including Delaware, AccuWeather is predicting temperatures to be one to two degrees above average with precipitation between 75% and 124% of average. Rocking The Docks is looking to create a mini earthquake in Lewes this summer with 17 booming concerts, including Billboard artists, making this year's lineup its biggest yet. All shows went on sale on March 28. The 17 shows will be held over 11 weeks at the Lewes Ferry grounds at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal. Arguably, the two biggest shows of this year's concert season are the Philly rock band Low Cut Connie and The Amish Outlaws, a cover band that wears Amish outfits. Some of the members grew up Amish before deciding to leave their community to live the secular world and play instruments. While Low Cut Connie is more famous than the Outlaws, the Amish crew is wildly popular downstate. Ready to surf-fish on the Delaware beaches this summer? Not so fast. You need certain permits and licenses, and possibly a reservation. You need to check your tire pressure and throw a shovel in your trunk, and when you're on the beach, there are certain rules you have to follow. Delaware's surf-fishing regulations may seem complex, but we've broken it down for you. Here's what you need to know. Longwood Gardens, the Disney World of plants, is set to bring to life its magical Fireworks & Fountains Shows – six enchanting summer and fall events that will likely sell out fast. Tickets for the first three shows (July through August) go on sale to the public May 14. The second half of shows (August through September) go on sale to the public June 25. Step aside, Rehoboth Beach – because Dover Motor Speedway is getting a brand-new beach with cool attractions during NASCAR race weekend this summer. The Monster Mile will transform into "Miles Beach" from July 17-20. Miles Beach will be located in the Speedway's Fan Zone and feature dozens of family-friendly events and beach-themed attractions, many of which will be free. Another wave of big musical acts has been announced for the Freeman Arts Pavilion's summer concerts series near Selbyville, including new additions like ZZ Top and Young the Giant. The new lineup (below) features 12 more events and performers, including the Arts & Jazz Festival. Tickets go on sale Friday, April 11. Music stars previously announced for the Freeman Arts' 18th season feature standouts like The Beach Boys, Sam Hunt, Buddy Guy, Andy Grammer, Trombone Shorty and many more. More warm weather is on the horizon, which means it's time to head outdoors and enjoy the sunshine. Looking for a place to picnic and read? A location fit for a light hike and wildlife sightings? How about jumping through the waves before relaxing on the sand? Whatever you have on your agenda, there's a good chance one of Delaware's state parks will check many or all of the boxes required for your perfect day in the sun. With 17 options to choose from, it can be difficult figuring out which state park would be best for your activity of choice. Delaware's surplus of state and county parks, its many rider-friendly trails and roadways with bike lanes make it somewhat of a cycling paradise. As the weather warms, more will begin pushing their pedals as a form of exercise or travel in the great outdoors. With that in mind, here are a dozen Delaware bike rides that are particularly appealing and worth a try, starting up north and then moving south with four in each of the state's three counties: Birdwatching, known as 'birding' by enthusiasts, isn't as popular in the summer as in the spring and fall because of heat, humidity and insects. Plus, spring and fall bring migratory birds to Delaware so there are more species to spot. But with more daylight and vacations, summer is probably when people have the most time for the activity. Delaware is home to plenty of great places to see and hear well over 150 species, from common birds to the extraordinary. We asked experts for their top five summer birding spots, some of the species people can expect to see there and what you should bring to make your trip more enjoyable. Eager for fresh fruits, veggies and other items from local farms and growers this spring and summer?Delaware has a number of farmers markets, and many are opening soon. Here's your guide to this season's markets. Since its opening in the summer of 2023, Great Wolf Lodge Maryland has attracted thousands of Delaware-area residents to its largest water park yet. This summer, the chain is offering several limited-time deals and discounts. If you're craving a vacation without straying too far from home, here is your guide to booking and staying at Great Wolf Lodge Maryland. If you're looking for a promotion to attend a Wilmington Blue Rocks game this season, you're in luck. The Rocks have something going on before, during or after every home game. As the season approaches, here's a refresher on who the Rocks are, where they play, how to purchase tickets and much more. Every few years over the past decade, Delaware Online/The News Journal has published an occasional series called "What Wilmington needs to be more fun." A bit of a think-out-loud brainstorming session, we reach for the stars, but keep a dash of reality in our minds as we cook up ideas. Over the years, many have actually come to be: beer gardens (Constitution Yards Beer Garden, Maker's Alley), record store (SqueezeBox Records), another art house movie theater (The Screening Room at 1313), production brewery (Wilmington Brew Works), rooftop bar (The Quoin Hotel) and more. With the weather heating up, we figured it's time to turn our attention down south to Delaware's beaches, already a bastion for summertime fun. Newark wants to keep people coming back to its downtown while the Blue Hens are on summer break. Before saddling up to play Dover this summer, Delaware country star Jimmie Allen gave fans a Jay-Z-inspired message on Instagram: "I got 99 problems but a beer ain't one." Tickets are now on sale for Allen's concert at Bally's Dover Casino Resort on June 20. The lyrics Allen sang are from Justin Moore's 2024 song "Beer Ain't One" featuring Blake Shelton. (Justin Moore will play two nights at the Bottle & Cork in Dewey Beach on July 24-25.)Before saddling up to play Dover this summer, Delaware country star Jimmie Allen gave fans a Jay-Z-inspired message on Instagram: "I got 99 problems but a beer ain't one." Tickets are now on sale for Allen's concert at Bally's Dover Casino Resort on June 20. The lyrics Allen sang are from Justin Moore's 2024 song "Beer Ain't One" featuring Blake Shelton. (Justin Moore will play two nights at the Bottle & Cork in Dewey Beach on July 24-25.) For many of us, going to the zoo is a summer tradition we look forward to every year. From watching lemurs and tamarins swing from branch to branch to feeding goats and alpacas right out of our hands, there's something at the zoo for everyone. And with summer just around the corner, both kids and kids at heart are itching to see their favorite animals and embark on yet another exciting, zoo-related adventure. While there seems to be plenty of uncertainty when it comes to tourism this summer, there are studies finding that Americans will be traveling this coming season — although maybe not as many. Despite the economic uncertainty, Americans aren't staying home, says the market research company Leger. Leger's study found 49% of Americans plan to take at least one leisure trip this summer and one in five are likely to travel for business, both consistent with 2024 levels. That's slightly less than last year when 51% Americans planned to take a leisure summer trip. The warmer weather means the end of the school year is right around the corner. Kids will be home. But the question may be, can they be home alone? It's a tricky question for any parent, but here's some help to aid you in your decision. Starbucks will unveil its full summer menu in May, but this week, it offered USA TODAY a sneak peek of some of the items that will be included. The company is unveiling a new Iced Horchata Oatmilk Shaken Espresso, while bringing back the Summer-Berry Refreshers that were introduced in 2024, a spokesperson told USA TODAY. The coffee chain will also be debuting a new Strawberries & Cream Cake Pop. The Summer-Berry Refreshers, unveiled last year, featured a layer of popping raspberry flavored pearls at the bottom of the cup, adding fruity flavor to the drink. The refreshers were available in three flavors: Summer-Berry, Summer-Berry with Lemonade and Summer Skies. A summer vacation at the beach on a budget can be difficult, but here are tips on how to save money on hotels and motels. Usually, rates depend on how far away from the beach you stay, when you go on vacation, and if you only need a bare-bones place to rest your head or if you want a more luxurious room, with a small kitchen, a pool and room service. For this story, we searched national travel websites for hotel prices at the Delaware beaches under $300 per night from Memorial Day weekend to the last weekend in September and found rates starting at $93 per night. Opening day at Citizens Bank Park is a treat for the senses. As you walk through the parking lot, the tantalizing smell of brats and burgers cooking over charcoal lures you through the parking lot toward the stadium. Once in The Bank, you can smell the popcorn or spilled beer. You can hear the sizzling of Italian sausages, hot dogs and cheesesteaks at Hatfield Grill. You can hear the crunch of peanut shells. It all rewards you for making it through winter as you relax in your seat for a few hours of Phillies baseball on the first home date of the year. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Everything you need to know about enjoying your summer in Delaware
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19 hours ago
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Pete Alonso, Juan Soto, and Francisco Lindor on big games at the plate after Mets win
So-So Juan Soto: Expectations, Media Scrutiny, and Will He Bounce Back? Is Juan Soto living up to his massive $765M contract with the New York Mets? In this episode of Big League Buzz, hosts Scott Gulbransen and Evan Groat dive into Soto's underwhelming 2025 season, exploring whether performance, pressure, or sky-high expectations are causing the slump. From his decreased bat speed to the intense New York media scrutiny, we break it all down. Plus, we discuss Soto's move from the Yankees, family influence on his decision, and if he'll hit .300 by the All-Star break. Don't miss this deep dive into one of baseball's biggest stories! - Subscribe for more MLB insights! - Visit us at for exclusive baseball coverage! - Check out Evan's interview with Andy McCullough on The Sportsnaut Interview podcast: Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro to Big League Buzz 1:02 - Juan Soto's Mets Struggles Begin 4:00 - Tony Gwynn vs. Elly De La Cruz: Crazy Strikeout Stat 7:00 - Soto's $765M Contract: Pressure or Performance? 12:01 - Yankee Fans Boo Soto: Emotional Impact 19:21 - Family Influence on Soto's Mets Decision 22:02 - New York Media Scrutiny: Is It Too Much? 26:58 - Will Soto Hit .300 by the All-Star Break? 29:50 - Evan's Upcoming Interview with Andy McCullough 33:00 - Outro & Memorial Day Baseball Preview 33:35 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
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a day ago
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Mets' Juan Soto hopeful breaking hitless streak will spark offensive turnaround: 'It's a matter of time'
Baseball fans can't turn on a Mets game without hearing about the early-season struggles of Juan Soto. The slugger who signed a massive contract this offseason has not had the year everyone projected. Entering Friday's series opener against the Rockies, Soto was hitting just .224 batting average with a .352 OBP and slugging .393. In the series prior to this weekend, a three-game set against the lowly White Sox, Soto went hitless (0-10) with a pair of walks. Advertisement Soto's troubles at the plate caused manager Carlos Mendoza to be inundated with daily questions about his slugger, and even president of baseball operations David Stearns was asked when he made himself available before Friday's game. The messaging has always been patience; that the man who smashed 41 homers and slashed .288/.419/.569 with a .988 OPS a season ago will eventually find it. Well, while it's way too early to say Soto is back, Friday's performance could be the start of something. Soto went 2-for-4, including an RBI double in the third inning that put the Mets up 2-0. His double snapped a 0-for-17 hitless streak. "Feels great," Soto said of his RBI knock after the game. "Any time you come through for the team, it's a good feeling." Soto was asked about his batting stance and how he's seemingly adjusted it to be more balanced on the lower body. The slugger acknowledged the work he's been putting in at the plate mechanically, but also working on his timing and making good decisions. Soto has notably taken more pitches in the zone, which has led to him getting behind in the count and striking out more. But it's a work in progress that, at least for one game, is paying off. Advertisement "I've been working a lot on my swing to try and try to figure out the best way to come through for the team," he explained. "It takes work and time. It looks a little different, but we keep working." Aside from his two hits, Soto also made a great running catch to rob the Rockies of extra bases. Soto said he was fooled by the hitter's swing and, according to teammate Francisco Lindor, the ball carried more than it has all season, which forced the 2024 Gold Glove finalist to have to adjust on the fly. "I made a really good adjustment. I felt like he hit it off the hand," Soto said of his catch. "When I started to see the ball fly, I realized he hit it better than I thought, had to make an adjustment and just move back." "It was pretty cool. For a second when I looked, I didn't think he had a chance, the ball was carrying a little more today than usual," Lindor said of Soto's catch. "I don't think he was expecting it. He played it well." Advertisement Lindor, whose two homers lifted the Mets to a 4-2 win on Friday, knows all too well struggling as the high-profile Mets acquisition. The shortstop weathered that storm to become one of the most beloved players and was the NL MVP runner-up, and has become the de facto team captain. So like his manager and the front office, he's asked about Soto all the time, and he echoes them every time. That Soto's struggles are temporary. "I think he's only going to continue to climb," Lindor said. "Everybody from the outside keep saying 'Where's Soto? Where's Soto?', we've seen it. He's had good at-bats weekly, overall, he ends up with good at-bats, and today, the ball fell for him. He's going to be great. He's going to end up with his normal numbers and hopefully from here on out, there's more luck on his side." "It's always good to see him and all of our guys having a good night," Mendoza said. "I thought not only at the plate but defensively -- I thought he made a nice play cutting that ball down the right field line and keeping that runner from scoring from first base with two outs, so yeah. He's going to get through it. He's too good of a hitter. Obviously, good night for him, Lindor, some of the guys, but it was good to see Soto finally getting some good results there." Soto was asked about Stearns' comments and that he may be putting pressure on himself. Advertisement "I don't say any pressure. I'll say it's more about coming through for the team," Soto said. "Everybody is hoping I come through and I want to hit for the team either way. Get some wins. I know I've been struggling and I haven't been there for the team, but I will be. "It's a matter of time [until I stack games like today]. We don't know when it's going to come through. Just have to keep working on it." Despite not getting hits, Soto drove in his sixth RBI in his last eight games after Friday. He had one in the previous nine games, so perhaps Soto has been a bit unlucky. We will all have to see what the next few games bring.
