The Mets began their long 10-game, four-city road trip on Friday with a promising win.
Newly acquired starter Paul Blackburn pitched six innings of one-run ball, Brandon Nimmo had a three-hit performance, and José Buttó had another stellar outing from the bullpen.
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Sandwiched in with those nights was also Pete Alonso. The first baseman was only 1-for-4, but the one hit was gargantuan.
Facing 2024 All-Star Tyler Anderson in the third inning, Alonso crushed a homer 421 feet to the left-field seats. It gave the Mets a 3-1 early lead, but the runs proved to be the winning RBIs and set the tone early in Anaheim.
More importantly for Alonso, it was another long ball on the resume of his recent barrage. It was his fourth homer in nine games, and another indicator that Alonso might be out of his first-half power funk.
“Feeling really good,” Alonso told Michelle Margaux post-game. “I’m just really happy I was able to put a big swing in there and yeah, it was a really, really good start for us to start this long road trip off with a win.”
The homer was Alonso’s fourth in only 14 second-half games. It’s a much different sight from the 19 that Alonso smacked in 95 games in the first half.
“I felt pretty good at the dish for a long time now,” Alonso said after the game.”I’m just happy that the balls and line drives are starting to carry over the fence. Just a nice happy accident trying to hit a line drive.”
A 113.8 mph, 421 ft laser! ????❄️pic.twitter.com/QAka50jMXQ
— Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) August 3, 2024
This recent stretch for Alonso is encouraging all around. He didn’t have a terrible first half, but it wasn’t in tune with what the league is used to. Alonso slashed .240/.319/.454 with 19 homers and 21 doubles. Still above average numbers, but Alonso has never finished a season with an OPS below .817.
A second-half resurgence could be remarkable for both Alonso and the Mets. It could be a defining half for Alonso during a walk season, and for the Mets who hold the third National League wild card and are sandwiched between four teams.
Still, there’s much baseball to play, and a daunting road trip ahead of the Mets. After two more against the Angels, the Mets fly to St. Louis for a make-up game, to Colorado for three, and then finish with three more against the Mariners.
“We’re in August now and were coming down the home stretch and we want to be able to play our best baseball towards the end of the year,” Alonso said. “So starting off this road trip (with a win) was really important.”
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