Alonso pads home-run totals

Pete Alonso sent a couple more pitches flying into the seats while Jacob deGrom’s tosses kept darting in and out of the strike zone. It all added up to a crucial win for the Mets. Alonso hit two homers to take sole possession of the major league lead, deGrom struck out 11 and New York beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-1 Monday night in the opener of an important fourgame series for both teams.

The Diamondbacks began the day 1 1/2 games behind the Cubs for the second NL wild-card 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 Mike Trout for most in the majors and closed within five of Aaron Judge’s rookie record set two years ago.

“When they throw him strikes, he’s going to hit the ball hard,” manager Mickey Callaway said. “That’s first and foremost. There’s got to be some anxiety with pitchers having to face Pete. So, if he doesn’t get on via hit, he’s getting on via walk. He’s just a great hitter.”

Alonso set a team record by reaching base safely in his 34th consecutive game. The first baseman recorded his fourth career multihomer game and joined Daryl Strawberry as the only Mets rookie to get four multihomer games.

“We just made some mistakes in the wrong inning at the wrong time and he took advantage of them,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said.

DeGrom (9-8) 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.