PHOENIX — Pete Alonso grew up equating Mike Piazza with the Mets, so to tie the Hall of Fame catcher for third place on the franchise’s all-time home run list was something of a surreal accomplishment, according to the first baseman.
That blast occurred Tuesday against the Diamondbacks when Alonso hit career homer No. 220.
“[Piazza] is one of my childhood heroes,” Alonso said before the Mets’ 8-5 loss to the Diamondbacks at Chase Field. “It’s kind of wild because the inner child in myself, every athlete has that and the inner kid in myself is like, ‘Wow.’ And then baseball player me, athlete, competitor is just like, ‘I am just really fortunate because I am trying to help my team and happy to contribute.’ ”
Darryl Strawberry owns the franchise record with 252 homers. David Wright is next at 242.
Alonso, who is set to hit free agency after the season, said any thought of catching Strawberry will have to wait.
“That is stuff I have definitely thought about, but that is more kind of stuff I will have to think about in the offseason — just knowing where I am on the list is special to think about,” said Alonso, who went 0-for-3 with an RBI on a sacrifice fly.
“Darryl Strawberry, David Wright and Mike Piazza, those guys mean so much to the organization.”
Alonso said his Mount Rushmore of Mets (he named five players instead of four) consists of Strawberry, Wright, Piazza, Tom Seaver and Jacob deGrom.
Carlos Mendoza said the Mets are looking to add speed and versatility to the roster Sunday, when a position player and pitcher will be added as September call-ups.
Luisangel Acuna, who has played second base, shortstop and center field at Triple-A Syracuse, certainly fits Mendoza’s description.
Acuna’s résumé this season includes 34 stolen bases.
Brandon Nimmo batted cleanup for the second time on the road trip and went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.
The slumping Nimmo had a solid performance on Tuesday when he went 3-for-5 against the D’backs.
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