The spring of Pete Alonso continued Tuesday night time, because the scorching first baseman added one other key run-scoring double in a 5-1 win over the Phillies at Citi Area.
And he added some glorious work together with his glove — notably within the prime of the second, when Alonso picked a troublesome throw from Mark Vientos to stop a run from scoring.
Afterward, Carlos Mendoza known as Alonso “probably the best in the game” at scooping balls within the dust at first base.
“For me, I want to be the best first baseman I can be,” Alonso mentioned. “That’s part of my game and the position and I take immense pride in all of it.”
However Alonso’s calling card will all the time be his bat, and on Tuesday he got here to the plate with two outs within the backside of the seventh of a one-run sport and the equally red-hot Francisco Lindor at third.
Alonso ripped a double to left to attain Lindor, his twenty fifth RBI of the younger season — tied with Aaron Choose for many within the majors — because the Mets confirmed no indicators of slowing down with a sixth straight win.
The 2-base hit ignited a three-run inning that helped the Mets seal the victory with out a lot late-inning drama.
Alonso additionally singled within the third and was hit by a pitch close to his left forearm within the fifth.
He shook off the 94 mph sinker from Philadelphia right-hander Joe Ross and remained within the sport following a short go to from Mendoza and a coach.
Simply as necessary because the insurance coverage run he delivered within the seventh was the run he stored the Phillies from scoring within the second.
With Griffin Canning on the mound and in hassle for a lot of the primary two innings, Philadelphia had already tied the sport at 1-1 with three consecutive hits and had runners on second and third with two outs.
Trea Turner hit a grounder that Vientos ranged to his left to get.
Vientos threw to first at an ungainly angle and bounced it, however Alonso made a diving scoop and managed to maintain his foot on the bag to finish the inning and maintain the sport tied.
“I gave him a big hug right after that,” Vientos mentioned. “He’s underappreciated with how good he is over there.”
Alonso has by no means been recognized for his protection and his metrics in that a part of the sport stay principally subpar.
“I know his defensive numbers [aren’t good], I guess because of range,” Mendoza mentioned. “But when it comes to picking balls in the dirt, Pete is in the conversation. That play was a game-changer.”
Alonso made one other good decide at first when Tyrone Taylor doubled off Kyle Schwarber at first base from middle area within the eighth on a fly ball by Nick Castellanos.
“It’s all about winning games,” Alonso mentioned. “However I can help us do it, whether it’s putting points up or making a play at first, that’s all I care about.”
