PETE’S MOON SHOT
Alonso unleashes giant swing for Metkind as Amazin’s take small step with blowout
By the time Pete Alonso busted out of his post-Home Run Derby slump, the Mets were well on their way to a 14-4 victory over the Twins. The rookie mashed a tworun, 474-foot bomb into the middle of the third deck of Target Field off Twins reliever Matthew Magill, but the Mets were already up 9-3 at that point thanks to homers from Dom Smith and Amed Rosario.
“I just knew it was gone as soon as I hit it,” said Alonso, who was just 1-for-17 since the All-Star break before his home run. “I still think the one I got the best is the one that went into the fountain in Atlanta… Hopefully I can hit some farther.”
The Twins also provided an assist with poor pitching and fielding, but still led, 3-2, as late as the seventh inning. That’s when Smith hit a pinch-hit, three-run shot off reliever Trevor May into the wall at the base of the right-field stands.
“Having Dom come off the bench is a valuable thing and that was good to see,” Mickey Callaway said.
The Mets extended their win streak to four games, the first time they’ve done so since May 20-23 when they swept the Nationals during a four-game series at Citi Field. It was just the second sweep of the season for the Mets.
“That’s what we’re capable of, that’s how we’re gonna win games,” Callaway said. “We’re inching closer, it’s not out of the realm of possibility and that’s what we’re focusing our sights on is getting to the postseason this year.”
Brodie Van Wagenen had admitted after the All-Star break there were low expectations for the Amazin’s for the remainder of the season, but maybe that freedom is all the players needed.
Amed Rosario’s solo shot — his 10th homer of the season — off Twins starter Martin Perez got the Mets on the board in the third inning. Alonso scored the next run in the fourth on a grounder by Todd Frazier.
The Mets’ six-run rally in the eighth started with an error by left fielder Eddie Rosario, who dropped what should have been a routine flyout from Adeiny Hechavarria.
From there, the Mets punished the Twins to the tune of nine runs over the final two innings.
Jason Vargas needed to make up for his dreadful Friday start against the Marlins. Wednesday, he got halfway there, coughing up two leads but lasting six innings and surrendering three earned runs. With two homers by the Twins, Vargas has now given up 13 in 17 starts this season.
Even Jeurys Familia pitched a seventh so impressive he shouted in excitement as if he’d made a save en route to October. He allowed one hit over 14 pitches, struck out one and dealt a grounder that turned into a double play.
“Everyone has been doing their job,” Alonso said. “It’s exciting and we gotta do the best we can to win a series and keep it going and see what we can do.”