Pete Alonso’s Timely Hitting Propels Mets To Sweep

It’s like the old question about whether you can hear a tree fall in the woods: if Pete Alonso starts a hot streak, will everyone notice? Renowned for his power, Alonso snapped out of his recent slump with a three-run homer to left field off Dylan Cease in the first inning, sparking the Mets’ 11-6 Father’s Day victory and clinching a three-game sweep of the Padres.

The #Mets have gotten to Dylan Cease in the first inning.

Following the Lindor solo shot, Nimmo singled and Martinez walked before Pete Alonso unloaded a three-run shot.

4-1 #Mets, bottom 1. pic.twitter.com/yMjERjX2UV

— Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) June 16, 2024

Alonso had been struggling with just one RBI and no home runs over his previous eight games, going 2-for-23 with only one extra-base hit. His homer, his first since June 4, turned a 1-1 tie into a 4-1 lead. Later, his eighth-inning single drove in two more runs, extending the Mets’ lead to 11-6.

This win marked the Mets’ fifth consecutive victory, pushing them within one and a half games of a wild-card spot after winning nine of their last 11 games despite a shaky bullpen performance in the eighth inning.

In a contract year, Alonso has shown inconsistency, batting .232 with 15 home runs. However, Sunday’s performance might signal a turnaround. Manager Carlos Mendoza’s decision to move Alonso from fourth to second in the batting order appears to be paying off.

Additionally, the resurgence of Mets DH J.D. Martinez, who recently ended the second-longest on-base streak for a Mets player by reaching base safely ten times, has provided Alonso with essential protection in the lineup. For years, the Mets have struggled to protect Alonso in the middle of the lineup, yet he has remained a significant threat at the plate.

With Martinez heating up, Alonso has more freedom to swing the bat, as demonstrated by Sunday’s performance. If the Mets aim to contend for a playoff spot, Alonso’s production is crucial, and a five-RBI game is a promising start.

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