Gregory Soto had Mets motive behind pre-trade Orioles outing

SAN FRANCISCO — Gregory Soto considered his appearances against the Mets earlier this month as something of an audition for team officials.

Knowing the Mets were searching for bullpen help before the trade deadline, the left-hander said Saturday he was extra motivated when he faced the team just over two weeks ago while pitching for the Orioles.

“I [wanted to] show them what I was capable of doing,” Soto said through an interpreter after the Mets’ 2-1 victory over the Giants. “Just so they could see what I was able to do so they could trade for me.”

Soto pitched 1 ²/₃ scoreless innings combined in those two appearances.

On Friday the Mets acquired the veteran reliever in a deal that sent minor league pitchers Wellington Aracena and Cameron Foster to the Orioles.

Soto, who will be activated for Sunday’s series finale against the Giants at Oracle Park, was asked what had intrigued him about potentially getting traded to the Mets.

“The way they play the game, the culture that they have here, a lot of Latinos here, as well,” he said. “This is a team that wants to win, and I want to win a championship, so that is why I want to be here.”

Tylor Megill threw a bullpen session Thursday and will repeat the process Sunday as he builds up toward returning from elbow inflammation.

Megill, who is on the 60-day injured list, can’t return before Aug. 14, but his rehab will take him even beyond that date.

The Mets entered the day successful in their past 25 stolen base attempts, the longest streak in MLB this season. Overall, the Mets had converted on 89.4 percent of their stolen base attempts, the highest rate in the major leagues and best in franchise history.

The Mets extended their road winning streak to five games but overall are 24-28 away from Citi Field this season. The team’s 3.94 ERA on the road this season, entering play, was third best in the major leagues.