Big Pete Alonso powered the Mets (84-76) to a 4-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves (97-63) on Friday night at Cti Field thanks in part to his 52nd home run of the season, which put him in a tie with Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge for the rookie home run record.
Pitching
Marcus Stroman got off to a shaky start, allowing RBI singles to Josh Donaldson and Nick Markakis to put the Mets in an early 2-0 hole. However, Stroman managed to limit the damage, going an additional five innings without giving up a run before exiting in the seventh. When all was said and done, Stroman let up just two earned runs and struck out seven.
Jeurys Familia picked up the duties in the seventh and navigated through the inning without allowing a run.
In the eighth, Seth Lugo gave up hits to Josh Donaldson and Adeiny Hechavarria but managed to get out of the inning unscathed. Lugo returned to the mound for the ninth – despite Mickey Callaway‘s comments indicating that the righty would be used sparingly over this last weekend – and worked a scoreless inning to close out a 4-2 win.
Offense
Just as SNY’s broadcast booth noted that rookie Pete Alonso seemed a bit too eager to swing for the fences, Alonso blasted his 52nd home run of the season, tying him with Aaron Judge for the all-time rookie home run record- and giving him two full games to hit that historic 53rd long ball.
With runners on first and second in the bottom of the third inning, Amed Rosario lined a single to center, driving in a run to make it 2-2.
One inning later, J.D. Davis bashed a home run to right-center, putting the Mets up 4-2. Davis had two hits in the game.
Todd Frazier was 2-for-2 with a walk and HBP while Brandon Nimmo was 2-for-4 with a double.
On Deck
Steven Matz (10-10, 4.37 ERA) looks to rebound from a disappointing performance as he takes the mound for his final start of the 2019 season. The lefty will go head-to-head with Atlanta’s Mike Foltynewicz (8-5, 4.46 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET, while the broadcast can be found on FOX.
