Alonso Leads Mets in Game 5 Win, Potential Final Home Game at Citi
In what could potentially be his final game at Citi Field in a Mets’ jersey, Pete Alonso delivered when the Mets needed it most. Down three games to one heading into Friday night’s game five against the Dodgers, Alonso and the Mets made a quick statement to say, “Don’t count us out!”
Francisco Lindor singled to lead off the bottom of the first and Brandon Nimmo followed with a walk. That set the stage for Alonso two batters later. He drilled a slider many would have laid off of to deep center field for a three-run home run that gave the Mets an early 3-0 lead to jump on top first.
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The home run jump-started the offense, and set the tone for Game 5. It kept the season alive and resulted in a 12-6 win for the Mets.
Along with keeping the season alive, it was also quite the showing for what could have been Alonso’s last game at Citi Field as a Met. The first baseman is a pending free agent after the postseason, and whether or not the Mets will retain him is unknown.
But if it was his last game, it sure was special. Alonso went 2-for-3 with the three-run homer and four runs scored. He certainly left his mark on the win.
It also felt like déjà vu. This was not the first time Alonso had homered in an elimination game. That home run marked his third career postseason home run when facing elimination, which set a Mets record. Two of those have come this season as Alonso continues to prove he feeds off of pressure and performs well in clutch situations.
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“This whole postseason has just been magic,” Alonso said postgame. “This place is so special. The fans, the environment tonight, to be able to come out with our backs against the wall and punch back is really important.”
The punch back was spectacular. It kept the Mets from being swept at Citi Field and being knocked out of the playoffs at home by the Dodgers. But the Mets still have two more games with their backs against the walls if they are to keep their season alive.
“I can’t say enough, this group is so special. We’ve faced adversity, we’ve bounced back time and time again over the course of the year. We’re all happy to have another opportunity to fight another day. Today was all about, figure it out, get to game six. Now we have that opportunity.”
The opportunity continues Sunday at Dodger Stadium, with another win or go home game. The Mets came out on top in Atlanta to make the playoffs, in Milwaukee to advance to the National League Division Series, and again at Citi Field Thursday to go back to Los Angeles. Maybe Alonso has more moments left in his bat.
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