Pete Alonso took two curtain calls Tuesday night, a fitting response to him not only claiming sole possession of the franchise home run record, but helping generate momentum to end a wretched Mets losing streak.
This was one that even a rough starting pitching performance couldn’t spoil. Alonso, with two mighty swings, brought the Citi Field crowd to a roar, reminding all that summer is still very much alive in Queens.
Alonso’s two home runs — the first of which was No. 253 in his career and moved him ahead of Darryl Strawberry on the franchise’s all-time list — led a 13-5 demolition of the Braves that snapped a seven-game Mets losing streak, which matched their longest since 2018.
The Mets blasted six homers overall. Alonso and Francisco Alvarez each went deep twice, and Brandon Nimmo’s three-run blast provided the go-ahead runs. Brett Baty also homered.
But Alonso’s homers resonated loudest, particularly his two-run shot in the third inning that moved him ahead of Strawberry.
“I really don’t want to make this about myself, because this is about the team,” Alonso said. “This is about guys fighting every single day and doing whatever they can to win. I’m just trying to do my part, and we’re all pushing each other to be the best of ourselves so we can cross the finish line of the regular season and get ourselves a nice playoff spot.”
Even so, Alonso said there was reflection as he received his first curtain call — a moment that brought tears to manager Carlos Mendoza’s eyes.
“As a kid you really don’t think it’s in the realm of possibility to be a franchise home run leader,” Alonso said. “You just want to get to the big leagues and give it your best. … To have that opportunity, it’s a wild dream.”
Mendoza at that moment was struck by how much “joy” appeared on Alonso’s face.
“He was like a kid with a new toy,” Mendoza said. “He was enjoying the whole world. It meant a lot to him.”
The Mets picked up a game on the Phillies in the NL East race and now trail by five lengths for first place. They remained two games ahead of the Reds for the third and final NL wild card.
The Mets survived an ugly start from Clay Holmes, who lasted just 3 ²/₃ innings, allowing five earned runs on six hits and five walks with four strikeouts. The right-hander was handed a 5-1 lead but departed in the fourth with the game tied, after throwing 85 pitches. It followed outings in which Kodai Senga, Frankie Montas (behind an opener) and Sean Manaea failed to complete five innings.
Cedric Mullins delivered with a two-out RBI single in the second to tie it 1-1. Alvarez then gave the Mets the lead with a two-run blast — his fifth homer of the season. Alvarez jumped on a 1-1 fastball and cleared the right field fence. The rally in the inning started with Alonso’s leadoff double to left field against Spencer Strider.
Alonso’s record breaker, a two-run blast in the third, extended the Mets lead to 5-1. Alonso, who tied Strawberry’s franchise mark three nights earlier at Milwaukee, went deep again in the sixth to give him six homers in 10 games.
Holmes never escaped the fourth, coughing up the lead and leaving with the game tied, 5-5. After loading the bases with one out, he surrendered a two-run double to Nacho Alvarez Jr. that sliced the Mets lead to 5-3. Nick Allen walked and Jurickson Profar’s fielder’s choice brought in another run. Matt Olson’s RBI double, with lefty Gregory Soto warming in the bullpen, tied it 5-5. Francisco Lindor’s two-out bunt single ignited the Mets rally in the bottom of the inning.
After Juan Soto walked, Nimmo launched a three-run homer in the bottom of the inning that gave the Mets an 8-5 lead.
It was a welcome contribution from Nimmo (for the second time in as many innings — he singled ahead of Alonso’s homer) after beginning play with a .437 OPS in August. The Mets continued to pile it on. Alvarez stroked an RBI double in the fifth before Baty’s ensuing single buried the Braves in a 10-5 hole. Alonso homered again in the sixth, and Alvarez and Baty went back-to-back in the seventh to complete the onslaught.
“I’m just really proud of [Alonso],” Nimmo said. “To reach this mark at such a young stage, I can’t wait to see what he sets the mark at for good.”
Credit: Source link
