Mets crush Pirates on HRS by Alonso, Lindor
Both connect in 10-run sixth as N.Y. routs Brubaker, Pittsburgh
Pete Alonso hit a three-run homer and Francisco Lindor clubbed New York’s first grand slam this season during a 10run sixth inning, and the Mets embarrassed the Pittsburgh Pirates 13-4 Friday night.
A night after being postponed because of weather for the second time in a week, New York won for the fifth time in seven games. Friday’s matchup was delayed 41 minutes as lightning, thunder and heavy rain blanketed Citi Field with one out in the bottom of the eighth.
Taijuan Walker allowed two runs over five innings and was told after the game by manager Luis Rojas that he’d been added to the National League All-star team. The Mets are undefeated in his eight home starts.
The NL East leaders broke through against Pirates starter JT Brubaker (4-9) in the sixth, leading off the frame with a single by Brandon Nimmo and a full-count walk by Lindor. Dominic Smith singled, scoring Nimmo and breaking a 2-all tie.
After a brief mound visit by
the pitching coach, Alonso crushed one in close vicinity of the Pittsburgh bullpen, chasing Brubaker.
Most of the 20,350 in attendance rose to their feet as Alonso pumped his fist emphatically between first and second base, celebrating his 16th home run of the season but only his second at home.
The Mets continued to pile on against the Pirates’ bullpen. Sam Howard loaded the bases on two walks and a single. The wild lefty plunked pinch-hitter Jose Peraza, scoring Jeff Mcneil. He then walked Nimmo, plating Michael Conforto before being lifted for Kyle Keller.
Lindor lined Keller’s 1-0 fastball just over the left-center field wall, extending the lead to 12-2 with his 10th homer and third career grand slam.
Aaron Loup (3-0) pitched a scoreless sixth for the win.
After an easy 10-pitch first inning, Walker started the next frame by loading the bases. The tall right-hander then hit lighthitting Michael Perez in the thigh to score Ben Gamel, giving Pittsburgh an early lead.
Batting left-handed, Jonathan Villar lined Brubaker’s first pitch of the third inning for a solo homer. James Mccann followed with a soft single onto the outfield grass and later scored from first when Nimmo lined a double in the gap.
Villar added another solo shot in the seventh hitting righty, his eighth of the season and 300th career RBI. He became the 10th player in franchise history to homer from both sides of the plate in the same game.
Pirates All-star Adam Frazier had a game-tying RBI single in the fifth.
Pinch-hitting rookie Rodolfo Castro connected for his first career hit, a solo homer in the seventh against Mets’ reliever Nick Tropeano.
Pittsburgh’s John Nogowski had three hits and became the first Pirate with 10 hits in his first four games with the team, one more than Maurice Van Robays in 1939, per STATS.
Trainer’s room
Pirates: RHP Duane Underwood Jr. (right side discomfort) was placed on the 10-day IL retroactive to July 8. LHP Austin Davis was recalled from Triple-a Indianapolis and appeared in relief.
Mets: RHP Carlos Carrasco (strained hamstring) participated in pitchers’ fielding practice Friday afternoon and may start a rehab assignment next week, Rojas said. . 3B/LF J.D. Davis (sprained left hand) continued his rehab assignment with Syracuse, going 0 for 1 with two walks at Scranton/wilkes-barre.