Alonso Hits 250th Homer as Mets Snap Losing Streak Against Giants

In a significant display of power, Pete Alonso hit his 250th career home run, leading the New York Mets to a 12-6 victory over the San Francisco Giants on July 15, 2023. This win ended the Mets’ four-game losing streak and marked an impressive performance from Alonso and his teammates.

Alonso’s milestone homer came in the first inning, a towering 427-foot three-run blast that moved him within two home runs of Darryl Strawberry’s franchise record. The Giants initially responded, scoring four consecutive runs to take a brief lead before the Mets regained control.

Mets Rally with Key Contributions

Brandon Nimmo and Francisco Lindor played pivotal roles in the Mets’ resurgence. Lindor drove in four runs during the game, with crucial run-scoring singles in the fourth and sixth innings. Nimmo also contributed significantly, driving in three runs, including an RBI single in the seventh inning that extended New York’s lead.

In the seventh, Lindor capped off the scoring with a two-run double, solidifying the Mets’ victory. The result moved the Mets a half-game ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East standings.

Pitching Highlights and Challenges

The Mets utilized a combination of five relievers throughout the game. Reed Garrett (3-4) was particularly effective, retiring all four batters he faced. Making his debut for the Mets, Tyler Rogers, who was acquired from the Giants earlier in the week, allowed just one hit in the seventh.

On the other hand, starting pitcher Kodai Senga faced challenges, allowing four runs over four innings. This marked the third consecutive start where Senga has given up at least three runs, leading to a concerning 6.19 ERA since returning from the injured list on July 11.

For the Giants, former Mets first baseman Dominic Smith and Willy Adames each hit two-run homers, while Grant McCray added a run-scoring single in the fourth inning. However, the Giants’ starter Kai-Wei Teng (0-1) struggled in his major league debut, surrendering five runs in just 3 1/3 innings.

With one out and the score tied in the fifth inning, Lindor executed a perfectly timed bunt that caught the Giants off guard, allowing Brett Baty to score easily.

The Mets and Giants will conclude their weekend series on Sunday, with Frankie Montas (3-1, 5.46 ERA) set to take the mound for New York against Carson Whisenhunt (0-0, 7.20 ERA) of the Giants.

This victory provides a much-needed boost for the Mets as they aim to improve their standing in the highly competitive National League East.