Pete Alonso got the Mets back on the winning track with two big extra-base hits, leading the Mets to an 8-5 win over the Padres Sunday night at Citi Field.
Trailing 1-0, Alonso came up in the sixth inning with two men on and unloaded a homer to left field to give the Mets their first lead in the series. He later doubled off the wall in center field for his fourth RBI of the game and 82nd of the season. While Alonso crushed the ball, it really should have been caught.
Alonso had plenty of help, as the Mets banged out 12 hits, with four guys recording multi-hit games.
Carlos Carrasco started and threw five shutout innings, but needed 92 pitches to do it. He was relieved at the start of the sixth by Drew Smith, who allowed another run but at least part of the blame needs to go to Francisco Lindor. Smith gave up a double to left but a good relay throw by Lindor gets the runner at the plate. Instead, Lindor’s throw home was wide and the Mets were down a run.
Seth Lugo started the seventh inning with a 5-1 lead. He didn’t get a couple of calls and put two runners on base. But he got Manny Machado to ground into a force out to end the inning, keeping alive his season-long stretch of not allowing a run when he enters the game with a day or more of rest and at the very start of the frame.
David Peterson allowed a run in the eighth inning and Joely Rodriguez had a meltdown in the ninth, turning it into a save situation. Edwin Diaz allowed an inherited runner to score but did not allow a hit and picked up his 21st save of the year.
Gut Reaction : with the Braves breathing on their necks, Alonso put the Mets on his back and lead them to victory. That home run was the turning point of the game and also woke up rest of the hitters from their doldrums. Alonso is the Mets MVP.
I would have rather had Hunter pitch instead of Rodriguez in the ninth because Hunter pitch on July 17th and needed work. Rodriguez did pitch the 22nd. In July, Rodriguez has pitched 5.1 innings with 6 ER. He is not reliable, ( 64.7% Reliever Reliability Rate) are should be upgraded.
Let’s split with the Yankees but a sweep would be sweet. LGM
The Mets seem to ebb and flow with Alonso’s production. They need other players to step up.