Pete Alonso homers twice to help the Mets beat the Nationals 5-1

Updated Jul. 28, 2023 11:11 p.m. ET

Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Pete Alonso homered twice to become the second player in Mets history with four 30-homer seasons, leading retooling New York to a 5-1 victory over the Washington Nationals on Friday night.

The Mets won their second straight a little less than 24 hours after sending closer David Robertson to Miami for two rookie-ball prospects — signifying a trade deadline selloff. New York opened the season with a record $343 million payroll, but entered Friday seven games out of a wild-card spot.

“Disappointed — I mean, obviously, we put ourselves in this position, we haven’t played well enough as a team,” said Max Scherzer, who allowed six hits and struck out seven in seven solid innings but has an ERA of 4.01, which would be his highest since 2011. “I’ve had a hand in that for why we’re in the position that we’re at. Can’t get mad at anybody but yourself, but it stinks.”

Scherzer, who has a player option worth $43.3 million for next season, said he expected to have discussions with owner Mets owner Steve Cohen and the team’s front office before Tuesday’s trade deadline.

“You have to talk to the brass — you have to understand what they see, what they’re going to do,” Scherzer said. “That’s the best I can tell you. I told you I wasn’t going to comment on this until Steve was going to sell. We traded Robertson, now we need to have a conversation.”

Alonso hit a 453-foot, two-out, three-run homer into the second deck in left field in the fifth inning off MacKenzie Gore (6-8), who opened the frame by walking the bottom two hitters in the Mets’ order, Brett Baty and Francisco Álvarez.

Alonso added a two-run, 423-foot homer to center in the seventh off Rico Garcia.

The second homer was the 30th of the season for Alonso, who joined Mike Piazza (1999-2002) as the only players with four 30-homer seasons for the Mets.

“I didn’t know that until earlier — that’s really cool, that’s really special,” Alonso said. “Awesome, but I just want to help the team win.”

The only season in which Alonso has not reached 30 homers was during the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, when he hit 16 homers in 57 games.

The two-homer game was the second in the last four games for Alonso, who had just four homers in 30 games from June 7 through July 23 — a span that included a stint on the injured list with a bruised left wrist.

Alonso also made an impressive play to end the eighth, when he dove between first and second base to field a grounder by Keibert Ruiz and threw from a sitting position to Adam Ottavino covering first.

“When you get it going again, somebody’s going to pay — you always feel that with Pete,” Mets manager Buck Showalter said. “‘OK, if I’m struggling, you’re going to feel my pains somewhere along the way.’”

Scherzer (9-4) carried a shutout into the seventh, when Luis García hit a leadoff homer. García finished with three hits — including two off Scherzer, against whom he is hitting .545 (6-for-11).

Ottavino pitched the eighth, and Brooks Raley worked the ninth.

Gore gave up three runs in five innings. He tied a season-high by walking four batters for the first time since May 23.

“When he’s throwing strikes and he’s getting ahead, he’s really good,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said. “Tonight, he was really good until he walked those two guys.”

CLOSER BY COMMITTEE?

Showalter said he wasn’t sure who would replace Robertson as the Mets’ primary closer. Right-handers Ottavino (six saves) and Drew Smith (two saves) and left-hander Raley (two saves) have combined for the 10 saves that weren’t earned by Robertson.

“All options are on the table,” Showalter said. “Never overlook an orchard while searching for a rose. You might be surprised who might emerge.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Nationals: 3B Jeimer Candelario, who was the DH Friday, said he was fine after he wrapped his left arm around second base umpire Vic Carapazza while unsuccessfully trying to leg out a double in the eighth inning. Candelario walked off with a trainer while grimacing and holding his left arm but said he was more frustrated by being thrown out.

Mets: To replace Robertson on the active roster, the Mets recalled RHP Reed Garrett from Triple-A Syracuse.

UP NEXT

LHP Patrick Corbin (6-11, 5.01 ERA) will start for the Nationals against RHP Carlos Carrasco (3-4, 5.82 ERA) in the third game of the four-game series Saturday night.

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