Alonso hits 46th, 47th HRs as deGrom, Mets beat Dbacks

NEW YORK — Pete Alonso hit two home runs to take the majorleague lead, Jacob deGrom struck out 11 and the New

York Mets beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 31 Monday night in the opener of a crucial fourgame series for both teams.

The Diamondbacks began the day 11⁄2 games behind the Cubs for the second NL wildcard spot and the Mets trailed by four. Chicago played later at San Diego.

Alonso hit a solo drive in the first inning, then connected for his 47th home run in the fifth. He moved two ahead of Mike Trout for most in the majors and closed within five of Aaron Judge’s rookie record set two years ago.

Alonso recorded his fourth career multihomer game. The first baseman also set a team record by reaching base safely in his 34th consecutive game.

DeGrom (98) allowed one run and three hits in seven innings. He gave up a home run to former teammate Wilmer Flores in the fifth and little else.

The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner recorded his 41st career doubledigit strikeout game and ninth this season.

DeGrom struck out multiple batters in four innings and reached doubledigit strikeouts when he fanned Ketel Marte with a fastball for the first out of the sixth.

Seth Lugo pitched two innings for his fifth save.

Amed Rosario added an RBI single in between the Alonso homers.

Merrill Kelly (1014) allowed three runs on seven hits in six innings.

Arizona fell to 113 in its last 14 games and lost consecutive games for the first time since Aug. 2124.

WELCOME BACK, WILMER

Flores made his first appearance in Citi Field since signing with Arizona in the offseason. He tipped his helmet after receiving a standing ovation before his first atbat in the second inning.

Flores also got a video tribute before the game that ended with Led Zeppelin’s “Thank You” playing as the videoboard showed him embracing Michael Conforto and Brandon Nimmo.

“It’s awesome,” Flores said before the game. “New York is always going to be home.”

Flores appeared in 581 regularseason games for the Mets since making his majorleague debut in August 2013. He is best known for his gamewinning homer against the Washington Nationals on July 31, 2015, four days after nearly being traded to Milwaukee for Carlos Gomez and breaking down in tears.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Diamondbacks: LHP Robbie Ray (blister, left middle finger) threw a bullpen session and will make his next start on Wednesday . ... RHP Luke Weaver (right forearm tightness) will have a bullpen session Tuesday and could appear in a simulated game or a rehab game if there are no problems . ... RHP Taijuan Walker (right elbow surgery) will have a bullpen session Tuesday.

UP NEXT

Arizona RHP Zac Gallen (34, 2.50 ERA), who is one of three NL starters alltime to allow three earned runs or less in his first 13 games, opposes RHP Zack Wheeler (107, 4.33).

Kathy Willens / Associated Press Pete Alonso of the Mets runs out his fifthinning solo home run against the Diamondbacks on Monday in New York. Alonso had two homers in the 31 win.