Francisco Álvarez was left searching for answers after finishing the month of June with a .151 batting average, a .534 OPS and 22 strikeouts. The flip to a new month has allowed the young catcher to regain some of the power he showed earlier this season, as he has hit a home run in two of his last three games. Álvarez has produced at the plate in high-leverage spots, including his go-ahead two-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday.

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The New York Mets took a 3-1 lead after Starling Marte hit a three-run home run in the fourth inning. Arizona immediately answered back with two home runs of their own, tying the game at 3-3 going into the fifth. Brandon Nimmo did not waste any time getting the lead back, continuing his recent power surge with a solo shot to right field, to put New York on top 4-3.

Max Scherzer attempted to put up a zero in the bottom of the fifth, but failed to do so. The Diamondbacks had two hits and two walks in the frame, scoring on a bases loaded walk from Corbin Carroll. So, despite all the Mets’ good at bats against Zach Davies, the game was tied at 4-4 going into the sixth inning.

Álvarez stepped up to the plate to face former Mets reliever Miguel Castro with one on and one out in the top of the seventh. The right-hander threw a 97 MPH sinker at the bottom of the strike zone and the catcher punished him for it, driving the ball to deep left center field. Álvarez hit the ball a long way, landing at 467 feet with an exit velocity of 110 MPH. That would prove to be the difference in the ballgame, as the Mets would go onto to win 8-5.

The slugger had a remarkable May, but after struggling for a large part of June, he believes he is starting to turn the corner in July. “I think I am slowly but surely getting back there,” Alvarez said. “I don’t think I am back to the same level that I was that month I was playing really well, but I think I am getting there.”

Álvarez’s home run on Tuesday was important in more ways than one, as his 14th of the season set a new record for home runs in a season by a Mets rookie catcher. He previously owned a share of the record with Travis d’Arnaud, who hit 13 home runs in 2014. It was a big day for Mets, who extended their winning streak to three for the first time in over a month. Álvarez delivered in a big spot for a group that so desperately needed a strong start to their final road trip before the All-Star break.