Associated Press September 3, 2023, 7:58 PM ET3 Minute Read
Pete Alonso scores his 40th and 41st HR titles of the season
In the Mets’ win over the Mariners, Pete Alonso hit his 40th and 41st home runs of the season.
NEW YORK – Pete Alonso put himself in powerful company on Sunday.
The All-Star slugger hit two home runs and four runs batted in and reached 40 home runs and 100 RBIs for the second straight season as the New York Mets defeated the first-place Seattle Mariners 6-3.
Alonso hit an RBI single in the first inning before his two-run throw in the third made him the fifth player in major league history to have at least three 40-homer seasons in his first five seasons, joining the Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner (four times). ), Eddie Mathews, Ryan Howard and Albert Pujols.
“Kind of amazing,” Alonso said. “Impressive names. I had no idea.”
Jeff McNeil also went deep – after hitting a home run just short of the cycle on Saturday night – and New York took two of three games from the Mariners, handing them their first series loss since 11-13. August against the Baltimore Orioles.
“It’s been a while,” Seattle coach Scott Servais said.
Seattle, which won a franchise-record 21 games in August, entered the day one game ahead of the Houston Astros in the American League West.
“We just had a historic month for the organization, and we may have had a little setback here,” said M’s first baseman Mike Ford, who hit the second of back-to-back home runs in the fourth. “But we can get started again.”
Alonso’s solo home run in Game 7 made him the fourth player in Mets history with at least three 100-RBI seasons. David Wright reached the 100-RBI milestone five times and Carlos Beltrán and Darryl Strawberry three times each.
“Through thick and thin, we know one thing: Pete is going to be the same guy walking through that door every day,” Mets manager Buck Showalter said. “It’s a pleasure for me to be here. He never has a bad day. He cares about his teammates, cares about the Mets. And seeing people like him succeed makes it even more enjoyable.”
Alonso’s 41 home runs are tied with Beltrán and Todd Hundley for the second most in a season in franchise history. Alonso holds the team record with 53 as a rookie in 2019.
“It feels like yesterday I was in my rookie season,” Alonso said. “This is my fifth year and time flies. That means a lot to me. This place was very special to me. New York has treated me so incredibly well.”
Alonso is eligible to become a free agent after the 2024 season, and speculation is growing about whether the retooled Mets will trade him this winter after trading away veteran aces Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander over the summer to replenish the farm system.
“Everyone knows it’s part of the game until the deal is done,” New York shortstop Francisco Lindor said.