“It’s just crazy, how things kind of unfolded,” starter Sean Manaea (two earned runs, 5 1/3 innings) said after the Mets (69-82) lost 7-5 in 11 innings in front of 28,097. “I’ve got nothing but respect for him and I love him to death, but as the team, as the 2026 Mets – I know we’ve definitely under-performed – the guys in here work their ass off every single day.

“And to have that kind of reaction to an opposing player – could be anybody – is crazy. I’ve got nothing but respect for Pete but I’ve just never seen anything like that before and I know the guys in here, we are grinding our butts off.”

Alonso hit his 36th homer of the season 414 feet off Kodai Senga, who was asked if the fan reaction bothered him. It was the newly installed closer’s first blown save. He entered the game 7-for-7.

“Perhaps if it was another hitter,” he said through a Japanese interpreter. “If it wasn’t Pete Alonso. There are other great hitters that have played for the Mets that are playing elsewhere. But because it was him, it didn’t bother me. It just shows how much he was loved, it just shows how great of a hitter he is and how much he meant to this organization.”

“You don’t choose your circumstances in life,” Andy Green said. “You choose your character and how you respond to circumstances. So (fans are) free to do whatever they want to do on the field. Our job is to never let anything external impact the way we go about playing the game.

“Do we love our fans cheering for us? Heck yeah, we do. Do we want our fans engaged with us? Heck yeah, we do. We absolutely want that. We understand that we didn’t meet expectations this season. We’ll show up tomorrow, play to win a baseball game.”

Three fans who caught the ball traded it with Alonso after the game for signed baseballs and bats. He signed their jerseys, too, and got them beers. Two were in Alonso jerseys and one was in a Carlos Delgado jersey. Alonso offered them tickets to a game at Camden Yards.

“I appreciate all the support, especially for all the years I’m here, all the life I’ve lived here,” Alonso said. “It’s a two-way street.”

The post Alonso Homer Draws Mixed Reactions from Mets appeared first on Metsmerized.

Triple-A

Syracuse (77-67) 9, Lehigh Valley (67-77) 1

Box Score

• 2B Émilien Pitre: 0-for-5
• 1B Billy Amick: 0-for-3, BB
• LF Ryan Clifford: 2-for-4, 2B, 2 R
• 3B Ronny Mauricio: 2-for-5, 2B, R, RBI
• SS Jefferson Rojas: 2-for-5, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI
• CF D’Andre Smith: 1-for-3, HR, 3 R, 2 RBI, BB

Jefferson Rojas. Photo Credit: Syracuse Mets

Jefferson Rojas was the story of this game. He not only got his first hit in Triple-A but crushed his first Triple-A home run on a 105.6 mile per hour short that went 361 feet. D’Andre Smith also smacked a homer while both Ronny Mauricio and Ryan Clifford got doubles. It is too small of a sample to really judge anything, but Ryan Clifford is hitting .292/.393/.625/1.018 across the eight games since returning from the development list. He has looked better under the hood as well but many of the concerning traits from the season are still there.

• RHP Saul Garcia: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
• LHP Cionel Pérez: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
• RHP Ben Simon: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K (W)
• RHP Garrett Stratton: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
• RHP Dylan Ross: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
• RHP Dan Hammer: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

It may have been a bullpen game but it was a good one. Despite three walks Garrett Stratton looked good generating whiffs with his multiple fastball shapes and striking out three and ran it up to 96 miles per hour. Ben Simon continues to show plus stuff with an inability to get whiffs while Dan Hammer shows plus stuff with plenty of whiffs.

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Pete Alonso received a curtain call from the Citi Field crowd on Tuesday night after hitting his 300th career home run. MLB shared video of the former Mets first baseman acknowledging the fans after his milestone moment at Citi Field. Alonso hit a game-tying home run in the ninth inning against Mets reliever Kodai Senga, where he was met with joyous enthusiasm from the Queens crowd.

Pete Alonso by Roberto Carlo

Latest Mets News

The Mets have claimed infielder Christian Cairo, according to MLB Trade Rumors. Cairo, the son of former major leaguer Miguel Cairo, gives New York another infield option as the organization continues to make moves with the season winding down.

Latest MLB News

Phillies left-hander Jesús Luzardo is headed to the injured list after not feeling as well as the team had expected, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic. Manager Don Mattingly said the Phillies are not ruling Luzardo out for a potential postseason start, but his timetable remains uncertain.

Carlos Correa will not return to the Astros this season, manager Joe Espada announced. Chandler Rome of The Athletic reported that Correa will remain sidelined for the rest of the season.

Latest on MMO

David Melendi writes about the reception and reaction to Alonso’s return to Citi Field.

Rafael Gonzalez highlights Jonah Tong‘s strong start vs. Baltimore.

Robert Colonna details the Mets prospects headed to the Arizona Fall League.

On This Date in Mets History

1986: The New York Mets defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 4-2 at Busch Stadium. Rick Aguilera pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowing just two runs, while Jesse Orosco secured the save. Ray Knight and Rafael Santana each contributed by driving in runs for the Mets.

Born on This Date: Chris Carter (1982), Desi Relaford (1973), Orel Hershiser (1958).

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The Mets got on the board quickly in the first to take an early lead. Soto and Bo Bichette hit back-to-back singles and Benge was walked to load the bases for Young, who hit a sacrifice fly to score Soto and make it a 1-0 Mets lead.

But the Orioles struck right back in the second on solo home runs by Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Jeremiah Jackson to give them a 2-1 lead, but not for long.

The Mets responded immediately in the bottom of the second as A.J. Ewing and Brett Baty each singled to open the inning. Three batters later, it was Soto on an RBI single that tied the game 2-2.

Carson Benge by Roberto Carlo

Benge gave the Mets the lead back in the bottom of the third on a solo home run, his 18^th of the year to make it a 3-2 Mets lead.

But in the top of the ninth, Pete Alonso, after going hitless in his first three at-bats, crushed his illustrious 300^th home run to deep left-center field to tie the game 3-3.

Soon after, Alonso was cheered on for a curtain call as a visiting player—a rarity. Chants of “Fire Stearns” soon followed, as they have after multiple Alonso at-bats this series so far. Fans have certainly expressed their distaste for Stearns and Steve Cohen’s decision not to aggressively pursue Alonso once he returned to free agency this last offseason. Alonso added fuel to that fire with his game-tying homer.

After the emotional top half, which saw Kodai Senga blow his first save, the Mets were unable to answer back in the bottom of the ninth.

The Orioles and Mets both scored in the 10^th. The Orioles scored on a passed ball and the Mets scored on an RBI double by Marcus Semien.

However, things unraveled for New York in the 11^th with Jonathan Pintaro on the mound. With the automatic runner on second, Pintaro walked Dylan Beavers and then gave up a long inside-the-park home run to Colby Mayo to give Baltimore a 7-4 lead.

The Mets got one run back in the bottom of the 11^th, but it wasn’t enough as the Orioles went on to defeat the Mets 7-5. That win also secured the Orioles a key win as they look to not fall further behind in the AL Wild Card race.

Players of the Game

Carson Benge is Tuesday night’s player of the game for his go-ahead home run in the third and his one RBI and two runs scored on the day.

Bichette also hit well on Tuesday, going 3-for-6 on the day.

On Deck

The Mets and Orioles conclude their three-game series, and Alonso will say farewell to New York one more time on Wednesday, as the teams wrap up their series.

It will be another former Met, Chris Bassitt (7-5, 4.88 ERA, 66 SO), on the hill for the Orioles against right-handed pitcher Robert Stock (1-3, 5.93 ERA, 29 SO) for the Mets.

The post Visiting Alonso Hits 300th Homer As Mets Fall 7-5 to Orioles in Extras appeared first on Metsmerized.

Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso will both try to hit home run No. 300 again tonight at Citi Field. Pete Alonso returned to Citi Field Monday night in front of a crowd that was excited to see him (and less excited for the Mets, for some reason). Alonso and Lindor both had quiet nights, as did most of both lineups as the Orioles beat the Mets 2-1. With the loss the Mets are finally, officially eliminated from postseason play. The Mets are truly, and only, playing for next season now.

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Mets Lineup

1. Francisco Lindor – SS
2. Juan Soto – LF
3. Bo Bichette – 3B
4. Carson Benge – RF
5. Jared Young – 1B
6. Marcus Semien – 2B
7. A.J. Ewing – CF
8. Brett Baty – DH
9. Francisco Alvarez – C

Starting Pitcher: Sean Manaea

Sean Manaea has pitched in 30 games this season, making 16 starts and totaling 133 1/3 innings with a 4.79 ERA, 4.50 FIP, 1.343 WHIP and an 86 ERA+. Manaea is in a bit of a rough patch. He’s coming off of a start where he allowed four runs over five innings, the fifth consecutive start he allowed at least four runs. Over that five start stretch, Manaea has a 7.22 ERA (5.72 FIP) while allowing seven home runs.

The Orioles have the following career numbers against him:

• Pete Alonso 1-2, HR, 2 BB, K
• Colton Cowswer 1-3, 2 K
• Christian Encarnacion-Strand 1-3, K
• Gunnar Henderson 1-3, K
• Jackson Holliday 0-1, K
• Yohel Pozo 0-2, K
• Leody Taveras 1-3, K

Opposing Lineup

1. Rece Hinds – LF
2. Pete Alonso – 1B
3. Coby Mayo – DH
4. Christian Encarnacion-Strand – 3B
5. Gunnar Henderson – DD
6. Jeremiah Jackson – 2B
7. Yohel Pozo – C
8. Leody Taveras – RF
9. Colton Cowser – CF

Shane Baz has made 29 starts this season, pitching 169 innings (a career high!) with a 4.05 ERA, 3.54 FIP, 1.331 WHIP and a 102 ERA+. Despite all of the numbers showing that he is almost an exactly average starting pitcher, he’s actually leading the league with 15 losses. Baz is coming off a rough start where he allowed five runs over 5 2/3 innings.

The Mets have the following career stats against Baz:

• Francisco Alvarez 0-3
• Brett Baty 0-2, K
• Bo Bichette 1-9, HR, 2 BB
• Francisco Lindor 0-2, BB
• Marcus Semien 2-7, 2B
• Juan Soto 3-5, 2B, HR, 3 BB

Game Notes

The Mets claimed Christian Cairo from the Phillies. As Mike Mayer points out, Cairo leads the International League (Triple-A) with 90 walks but has the lowest slug (.298) in the league. He’s on the 40-man roster.

The Mets announced their Arizona Fall League players, including Calvin Ziegler and Bruin Agbayani.

Three Things To Watch For

1. 300. Francisco Lindor is sitting at 299 career home runs. Pete Alonso is sitting at 299 career home runs. Two iconic Mets players (although one is an Oriole now) could reach this monumental plateau on the same night.
2. Carson Benge. Benge collected two hits in a game for the second time in his last three games played. He’s wrapping up his rookie season with a 3.3 bWAR, slashing .273/.336/.412 only three home runs away from a 20-20 season. He’s currently leading the Mets in bWAR. His 3.3 bWAR is ranked sixth for rookies in the majors for rookies (two players in front of him have bWAR from their 2025 season rolled into the data). What a season for the young outfielder!
3. Nate Lavender. Nate last pitched on Sunday against the Yankees and held them scoreless, walking a batter and allowing no hits over an inning. It was a nice bounce back outing from his worst outing of the season last Wednesday where he allowed three runs on four hits while recording only one out. Overall this season he has pitched in 16 games totaling 15 1/3 innings with a 1.76 ERA and a 239 ERA+.

Let’s go Mets!

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• Cole Mathis, 1B/3B
• Bruin Agbayani, INF
• Boston Baro, INF
• Irving Cota, RHP
• Brendan Girton, RHP
• Ryan Lambert, RHP
• Peyton Prescott, RHP
• Calvin Ziegler, RHP

All will be playing for the Surprise Saguaros, who are the Mets’ affiliate this year.

Teams use the Arizona Fall League for a mixture of reasons including getting rehabbing players reps, helping struggling players make adjustments in games, and evaluating players who could be on the cusp of a 40-man decision or contract tender decision.

This is a big milestone for Ziegler to end the season healthy and able to participate, who was a second round draft pick in 2021 but only threw six innings between 2022 and 2026.

Cole Mathis, who the Mets acquired for David Peterson, spent most of 2026 injured so it is a good sign he is healthy enough to play. Same for Boston Baro and Bruin Agbayani, who both missed most of the 2026 season with injuries. More of these example include:

• Peyton Prescott was able to throw in one game post Tommy John surgery making this a good step in his rehab.
• Ryan Lambert and Brendan Girton struggled through various issues in 2026 and the AFL will give them additional time to work through these issues.
• Irving Cota started the season strong but got injured almost immediately after his promotion to High-A.

The AFL begins October 3, and the schedule can be found here. Playoffs occur in mid-November, with the final day of the season on November 14.

The post Agbayani, Ziegler Highlight Mets’ 2026 Arizona Fall League Players appeared first on Metsmerized.

Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

No, the offense didn’t give fans much to cheer for. But Jonah Tong is batting a thousand for fans in his two starts. Coming off a gutty performance in his first start of the year last week, Tong didn’t need to show much resilience against the Orioles. In fact, the only batter to reach third while Tong was on the mound scored on a ball that took an unnatural hop near the first base bag and rolled into right field for a double.

Tong scattered four hits and a walk over six strong innings, allowing just the aforementioned unearned run. He struck out six Orioles, needing only 83 pitches to get through six.

In stark contrast to his first start, when he more evenly mixed his changeup (33), four-seamer (27), and cutter (20), Tong went fastball-heavy (46) against the Orioles. However, his changeup and cutter were still evenly split with 16 and 15 offerings, respectively. Playing more off of his four-seamer kept Baltimore off balance all night. It also helped show an increased whiff rate on both his cutter (25% to 33%) and his curveball (0% to 40%).

Tong’s stock as a prospect has taken a hit with his performance in 2026. His recent turnaround is likely too late to climb back up top-100 lists. But it’s certainly coming at the right time for the Mets as they evaluate the team going into the offseason. Do the Mets’ brass feel what he’s shown over the last two months in Triple-A and the bigs is real? If so, it could impact the moves they make this offseason, even if it means just taking on one fewer depth arm.

The Mets were mathematically eliminated from the playoffs with this loss to Baltimore. But one thing to monitor for Tong’s next two starts is his velocity. He averaged a full tick slower on his fastball, changeup, and his cutter. It will be important to see how Tong’s body responds down the stretch of a season. The Mets are hoping to compete in 2027. The role Tong plays in reaching that goal will depend on him.

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Pete Alonso by Roberto Carlo

Before his first at-bat, Pete Alonso raised his helmet in appreciation to the 35,800 at Citi Field, many of whom were on their feet, wearing his jersey, his shirsey or holding a homemade sign made for a night they had both been looking forward to and wished would have never happened.

“Going to the home plate, it was awesome,” he said. “And then I was like, ‘Alright, let’s go, let’s rock.’ So it’s like as awesome as it is, people are here to see a baseball game. But I appreciate it all. I appreciate the sentiment from the fans.”

“He’s earned it,” starting pitcher Jonah Tong said. “He’s an incredible human being … to see what he’s done for the city, for the Mets, everything involved with it. If it were up to me, they probably should’ve given him a little bit longer, but we do have a game to play.”

Alonso flew out to right.

Pete Alonso by Roberto Carlo

The crowd gave the franchise home run leader a warm ovation before every at-bat and even booed a bit when it looked like Tong was pitching around him. Many, oddly, headed for the exits when Alonso struck out in the eighth inning of a 1-1 game. The next batter, Gunnar Henderson, homered, and the Orioles won 2-1. Alonso went 0-for-3 with a walk.

“I think he got every ounce of love that he deserved, he got it tonight,” Francisco Lindor said. “He’ll probably get it tomorrow too and the next day too.

“It was cool to see how they showed out for him, how they gave him love. Next time they got to give the pitcher a little more love too because at the end of the day we’re trying to win the game. He’s one of the most beloved players that come through here. Even ourselves, we love him. So it was a cool day to watch how they acknowledge him.

“As a person, I do miss him, for sure.”

“I feel very fortunate,” Alonso said before the game. “I appreciate all the support. And people keeping up. It just shows, I care so much about like leaving it all on the field, like really taking every opportunity and pouring all the emotion I have and emptying the tank every night. I’m glad people appreciate that. For them to recognize that and appreciate that continuously it’s really special.”

Alonso was asked after the game for a favorite Citi Field memory and he cited the three-run homer he hit in the first inning of Game 5 of the 2024 NLCS against the Dodgers. The Mets went on to a 12-6 win to force a Game 6 in Los Angeles.

He was also asked what he’d want the fans to remember about him.

“I gave it all.”

The post Alonso Returns, Appreciates Citi Field Cheers Again appeared first on Metsmerized.

On Monday night, long-time fan favorite, as well as the Mets’ franchise home run leader, Pete Alonso, returned to Citi Field for the first time since signing with the Orioles.

There were many ovations, including the one shared by MLB Network as Alonso stepped up to the plate for his first at-bat of the night. For a few minutes whenever Alonso was at bat, it felt like the Mets fans cared more about the legend himself than they did about the actual game.

In terms of the actual game, Jonah Tong stole the show, allowing zero earned runs across six innings of work. An Orioles solo home run broke the 1-1 tie in the eighth inning, which ended up being the winning run. The Orioles took the series opener 2-1, and officially eliminated the Mets from playoff contention.

Juan Soto Photo by Roberto Carlo

Latest Mets News

The Mets will resume action at 7:10 p.m. ET on Tuesday for the second game of a three-game set with the Orioles. Sean Manaea will take the mound, looking to get things back under control after what has been a rough stretch for the lefty. The game will stream live on SNY.

SNY Mets shared an interview with prospect Mitch Voit, with the Mets organization prospect of the year saying, “In every single area of my game, I’m significantly better than I was a year ago when I was here.”

Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reported that Devin Williams threw off a mound on Monday at Citi Field and will do so again on Thursday. He doesn’t anticipate needing a rehab assignment, meaning Williams could come off the injured list as soon as this weekend if all continues to go well.

Laura Albanese of Newsday shared the Pete Alonso tribute video that was shown to fans at Monday’s game.

MLB Now shared video of former Mets GM Sandy Alderson talking about his reaction to when Pete Alonso signed with the Orioles.

Latest MLB News

Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reported that Dave Roberts said “it hasn’t been good” with Edwin Díaz, results-wise, on his rehab assignment. He allowed five runs on Sunday with erratic command. Roberts left the door open that Díaz isn’t on the Dodgers’ postseason roster if his performance doesn’t improve.

Latest on MMO

Andrew Steele-Davis presented 3 Up, 3 Down.

On This Date in Mets History

1987: Keith Hernandez collected his 2,000th major league hit in a 12-4 blowout against the Cubs, on the same day the team traded for pitcher John Candelaria.

On This Date in 1986 Mets

The Mets lost 1-0 against the Cardinals in a game that lasted 13 innings. Ron Darling was brilliant, pitching eight scoreless innings for a team with their eyes set on October. However, the offense just could not wake up when it mattered, going 0-for-5 with RISP, and just one extra-base hit, eventually falling in the 13th inning.

Born on This Date: Charley Smith (1937), John Pacella (1956), John Christensen (1960), Satoru Komiyama (1965), Doug Simons (1966), Jason Hardtke (1971).

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New York left nine men on base and went 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position in a 2-1 loss Monday to the Orioles (73-78) in front of a home crowd that showed a lot of love for the franchise’s home run king.

Alonso received warm ovations, a pre-game tribute video, and tipped his helmet to the fans before flying out to right in his first at-bat as a visitor in Queens. He finished 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout.

Gunnar Henderson hit a tie-breaking solo homer in the eighth inning off of Dedniel Núñez (1-1).

The Mets (69-81) had chances. Marcus Semien grounded out with runners at first and second to end the fifth.  Jared Young did the same in the third. Francisco Alvarez struck out with the bases loaded to end the second.

In his second start since returning to the majors, Jonah Tong allowed one unearned run on four hits over a career-high-tying six innings. He struck out six and walked one. One year and two days ago, Tong started when Jacob deGrom returned to Citi Field as a Ranger. In that start, Tong gave up six earned runs and didn’t escape the first inning.

Jonathan Pintaro threw a scoreless seventh. Kodai Senga allowed two hits, but struck out the side in a scoreless ninth.

A.J. Ewing tied the game at 1-1 with a solo homer (10) in the fourth. He became the 11th Met with 10 or more homers this season, a team record.

Heston Kjerstad drove in a run in the second when his hard ground ball took a bad hop and eluded first baseman Brett Baty for a two-out double. Jackson Holliday, who had advanced to second on Alvarez’s major league-leading 10th passed ball, scored.

Brandon Young allowed one run on five hits over five innings. He struck out six and walked five.

“New York is always going to feel like some sort of homecoming because for me the city is really special,” Alonso said before the game.

“Two things can be true at the same time,” he said. “I’m very happy and appreciative of my time I spent as a Met, and I’m beyond grateful and appreciative for the Baltimore Orioles.”

Stat of the Game

Alonso and Francisco Lindor both stayed stuck on 299 career homers. The only time two players hit No. 300 in the same game was when Jermaine Dye and Paul Konerko did it back-to-back for the 2009 White Sox.

Player of the Game

Tong has struck out 13 and walked two in two September starts. In three MLB appearances earlier this season before he was sent to the minors, he struck out seven and walked seven.

On Deck

MLB will celebrate Roberto Clemente Day. Every player will wear a No. 21 patch on his jersey. Sean Manaea (5-7, 4.79 ERA) will try to break a string of five consecutive starts where he has allowed four earned runs or more. RHP Shane Baz (6-15, 4.05 ERA), who is tied with Cleveland’s Tanner Bibee for the MLB lead in losses, goes for Baltimore. The game is at 7:10 p.m. ET on SNY.

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