NEW YORK (AP) — New York defeated the Atlanta Braves 13-5 on Tuesday night, and Pete Alonso shattered the Mets franchise home run record by going deep twice and driving in three runs.
Alonso’s 253rd home run came in the third inning off of a two-run blast from Spencer Strider (5-10).Darryl Strawberry, who had owned the team mark since 1988, was passed by him. In homage of the slugger’s moniker, the Mets put a graphic with the number 253 and images of Alonso and polar bears on the scoreboard after the homer.
In the sixth inning, Alonso hit another home run off Austin Cox, setting a franchise record of 25 career two-homer games—three more than Strawberry.
With just their second victory in 13 games, the Mets ended a seven-game losing streak in the fourth inning thanks to a tiebreaking three-run homer by Brandon Nimmo. New York got within five games of Philadelphia, who led the NL East, thanks to two home runs from Francisco Alvarez and a deep blast from Brett Baty.
The Mets tied the record for a single game in the expansion era by hitting all six of their home runs with two outs.
In the Braves’ opening inning, Drake Baldwin grounded out to score a run. When Atlanta chased Clay Holmes in the fourth inning, Matt Olson (double), Jurickson Profar (fielder’s choice), and Nacho Alvarez Jr. (two-run double) all got RBIs.
In relief, Gregory Soto (1-1) recorded four outs to secure the victory. For his maiden save, Justin Hagenman pitched four hitless innings.
Key moment
It was Nimmo’s first home run since July 23. Between home runs, his batting average was.177 (11 for 62).
Key stat
Alonso is the tenth player in franchise history to own the all-time home run record, which dates back to April 11, 1962, when Gil Hodges hit the team’s first home run during his debut with the Mets.
Up next
RHP Braves On Wednesday, Carlos Carrasco (2-2, 6.18 ERA) takes on his old squad. The Mets start LHP David Peterson (7-5, 2.98).
