Mets’ Alonso hits 52nd HR in win vs Braves

NEW YORK — Pete Alonso hit his 52nd homer to match Aaron Judge’s rookie record, and the New York Mets beat the Atlanta Braves.

Alonso connected in the first inning against Dallas Keuchel, narrowly clearing the wall in left field for a solo shot that tied Judge’s mark from his breakout season with the New York Yankees in 2017.

The 24-year-old Alonso smiled as he hurried around the bases. He did handshakes with teammates outside the dugout and took a curtain call on the top step to big cheers from the crowd at Citi Field. He has two games left to surpass Judge and maintain his major league lead.

Braves star Freddie Freeman returned to the lineup and went 0 for 5 after taking four days off to rest his sore right elbow. The four-time All-Star has a career-high 38 homers but none since Sept. 1, and the NL East champions are hoping to get him right before they open an NL Division Series on Thursday.

With Ronald Acuña Jr. resting his tight left hip for the rest of the regular season, the Braves dropped to 97-63, ensuring the club will fall short of 100 wins. They haven’t reached triple digits since 2003.

Keuchel (8-8) allowed four runs over five innings in his final postseason tuneup. The left-hander was pulled after 98 pitches.

Mets starter Marcus Stroman (10-13) pitched two-run ball over six innings in his season finale, and J.D. Davis hit his 21st homer.

Seth Lugo pitched the final two innings for his sixth save a day after manager Mickey Callaway said he’d limit Lugo to one-inning appearances with New York eliminated from postseason contention.