Pete Alonso remains optimistic about reaching the 40-home run mark this season, a positive development for the New York Mets. On Thursday in Colorado, Alonso hit his 24th and 25th home runs of the year, leading the Mets to a 9-1 triumph over the Rockies.
This performance elevated New York to a half-game lead over Atlanta for the National League’s third wild-card spot. The Mets will head to Seattle for a three-game series starting Friday night. At Coors Field’s high altitude, Alonso hit a 471-foot homer to left-center in the first inning, the second-longest of his career, and a 454-foot blast to left in the third.
“Home runs can sometimes be a matter of luck, taking advantage of a good pitch and hitting it well,” Alonso commented. Even with this recent effort, Alonso’s current pace suggests he might hit 35 home runs this season, potentially the lowest total of his career for a full season. “There are ups and downs over the season, but my main goal is to help the team win,” Alonso added.
“I want to perform at my best and contribute to getting the team into the playoffs.” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza values this dedication. “Alonso has his highs and lows, but he has the potential to carry the team, as demonstrated by his impressive hits on Thursday,” Mendoza remarked.
Meanwhile, the Mariners have seen their 10-game lead in the American League West slip away. On Thursday night, they edged out the Detroit Tigers 4-3, thanks to Mitch Haniger’s three-run double with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning.
This win halted Seattle’s three-game losing streak and put them in a tie with Houston at the division’s top. Haniger’s clutch hit marked his eighth career walk-off, a franchise record, and he had previously secured a win with a bases-loaded walk against Philadelphia on Saturday.
“Being part of an all-time list is amazing,” Haniger said. “I’m thankful to play this game and to be included. I focus on staying calm and treating every at-bat the same.” Haniger’s key hit narrowly missed the Tigers’ right fielder Ryan Vilade’s glove and rolled to the wall, allowing three runners to score. “We got lucky tonight,” Mariners manager Scott Servais noted. “We needed this win, and our pitching kept us competitive even when the situation looked grim.”
On Friday, veteran Mets left-hander José Quintana (6-7, 3.95 ERA) will face Mariners right-hander Bryce Miller (8-7, 3.62 ERA). Quintana has a 2-1 record with a 3.19 ERA in 12 career outings against Seattle, including nine starts, while Miller will be facing New York for the first time.