The legend of Francisco Álvarez continued last night against the Diamondbacks.

With the Mets trailing 1-0 in the ninth inning and down to their last out on Wednesday, Álvarez launched an opposite-field home run to tie the game. It was the 15th home run of the season for the rookie catcher, who is currently tied with Sean Murphy and Salvador Perez for the most home runs hit by a catcher in 2023.

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“The worst that could happen is we lose the game,” Álvarez said about his big swing. “So I go out there and try to give the best of myself. It’s really the adrenaline that really heightens that moment for me.”

The big moment hasn’t phased Álvarez in his rookie season. The Venezuelan has hit four go-ahead or game-tying home runs in the sixth inning or later this season. The only rookie who has hit more home runs in those circumstances is Ken Griffey Jr., who hit five in 1989 with the Mariners.

Álvarez’s home run on Wednesday propelled the Mets to a 2-1 win over the Diamondbacks. It was the fourth consecutive win for New York, and the second consecutive series win since May 21. As of July 6, the Mets are 6.5 games behind the Phillies for the last wild card spot.

 

Álvarez has been an enormous factor in the Mets’ recent and overall success in 2023. In 62 games, he is slashing .221/.276/.487/.763 with 15 home runs and a 107 OPS+. His 15 home runs are the third most by a position player on the Mets this season, and the most hit by a rookie catcher in franchise history — previously held by Travis d’Arnaud who hit 13 long balls in 2014.

ICYMI

Álvarez now has four go-ahead or game-tying home runs in 2023. Here are all the clutch home runs that the 21-year-old has hit as of July 6.

May 17: Álvarez hits a two-out, game-tying home run in the ninth inning in the Mets 8-7 (10 innings) win over the Tampa Bay Rays

May 27: Álvarez hits a three-run homer in the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies to tie the game at 6-6. New York eventually lost to the Rockies 7-10.

July 4: Álvarez hits a go-ahead home run against the Diamondbacks in the top of the seventh inning. The long ball gave the Mets a 6-4 lead, and they went on to win 8-5 over Arizona.

July 5: Álvarez hits a two-out, game-tying solo home run in the bottom of the ninth against Arizona. The Mets went on to score one more run in the top of the ninth and defeated the Diamondbacks 2-1.