Alonso goes deep twice to reach 40 homers and 100 RBIs as Mets beat 1st-place Mariners 6-3

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In an impressive display of power, Pete Alonso showcased his prowess by smashing two home runs and contributing four RBIs, a feat that secured his position as a consistent performer with 40 homers and 100 RBIs for the second consecutive season. The New York Mets emerged victorious against the first-place Seattle Mariners, claiming a 6-3 triumph on Sunday.

Joining Alonso in the hitting spectacle was Jeff McNeil, who managed to send the ball over the fences. This achievement came on the heels of McNeil’s near-cycle performance the previous night. The Mets’ dominant performance saw them clinch victory in two out of three games against the Mariners, a result that marked the Mariners’ first series loss since mid-August when they faced Baltimore.

The Mariners, who began the day leading the AL West, found their position slightly less secure after this defeat, with a mere one-game lead over Houston and a two-game advantage over Texas.

Alonso’s contributions were evident from the onset, as he delivered an RBI single in the opening inning. However, it was his two-run blast in the third that solidified his standing in baseball history. This remarkable achievement placed him among an elite group of players who have achieved at least three 40-homer seasons within their first five campaigns. Among these legends are Hall of Famers Ralph Kiner and Eddie Matthews, along with Ryan Howard and Albert Pujols.

Alonso’s individual success continued to shine as he launched a solo homer in the seventh, marking his third time reaching 100 RBIs. With a total of 41 home runs, he now shares the second-highest spot in the franchise’s single-season record alongside Todd Hundley and Carlos Beltran. Notably, Alonso’s rookie season in 2019 saw him set an impressive team record of 53 homers.

The Mets’ victory parade didn’t end with Alonso’s heroics; Francisco Álvarez added to the tally with an RBI single. Ronny Mauricio, a promising rookie, also made his presence felt with a single in his third big league game. Mauricio’s achievement marked him as the seventh player in the team’s history to commence their career with consecutive multi-hit games.

On the mound, Tylor Megill demonstrated his prowess, allowing three runs over 5 1/3 innings and earning his eighth victory of the season. Closer Adam Ottavino showcased his skills by striking out J.P. Crawford and securing his eighth save, although not without allowing a couple of baserunners in the process.

The Mariners attempted to rally with back-to-back homers from Dominic Canzone and Mike Ford in the fourth inning, showcasing their resilience despite the eventual defeat.

George Kirby, who returned to the mound after a brief absence due to illness, found himself facing challenges, surrendering four runs (three earned) over three innings. Despite his best efforts, Kirby’s return was marred by a high pitch count, including 52 pitches in the opening two innings.

In terms of individual accomplishments, Teoscar Hernández extended his hitting streak to 12 games with a single for the Mariners, while Julio Rodríguez’s impressive 15-game hitting streak came to an end as he went 0 for 4.

The series in New York was particularly significant for several Mariners players, as it marked a homecoming. Dominic Leone, a Connecticut native who had recently joined the Mariners, took the mound and pitched 1 1/3 innings. This marked his third team of the season to play at Citi Field. Similarly, George Kirby’s upbringing in Rye, in close proximity to Citi Field, added a personal touch to the series. Justin Topa, who secured the win for the Mariners in the previous game, also had his own connection, having played at Long Island University after completing high school in Binghamton.

In terms of injuries, 1B Ty France of the Mariners was sidelined after being hit by a pitch the previous night. France’s unfortunate distinction as the player hit by pitches the most times in the majors didn’t make him immune to injuries. On the Mets’ side, 3B Mark Vientos, who sustained an injury while running the bases the previous night, sat out but was anticipated to return in the upcoming game against Washington. Meanwhile, RF Starling Marte’s condition had improved after undergoing treatment in Philadelphia for a right groin issue, though surgery remained a possibility if his progress wasn’t satisfactory. Marte had previously undergone double groin surgery the previous fall.

As the action continued, the Mariners looked ahead to a 10-game road trip, with RHP Bryan Woo taking the mound in the opening game of a three-game series against Cincinnati. The Mariners held a strong historical record of 15-3 against the Reds, despite their infrequent encounters.

The Mets, on the other hand, took a brief respite before returning to action with LHP José Quintana leading the charge in a two-game series against Washington. The opposing team countered with LHP Patrick Corbin. Quintana, with a season marked by consistent performances, aimed to build on his record of allowing three runs or fewer in seven of his eight starts this season.

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