WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The New York Mets showcased their offensive prowess on Friday night, edging out the Athletics 7-6 in a thrilling contest at Sutter Health Park. Led by Pete Alonso, who homered and drove in three runs, the Mets continued their strong start to the season.
Alonso, who went 3 for 3 at the plate, delivered an impressive performance that included an RBI double off JP Sears in the fifth inning, a sacrifice fly in the sixth, and a solo home run in the eighth, marking his fourth homer of the season. "When we’re clicking, when we’re controlling the strike zone, we could be pretty dangerous and we saw it today," Mets manager Carlos Mendoza remarked after the game, emphasizing the team's ability to force pitchers to work hard.
Brandon Nimmo also contributed significantly, hitting a home run to lead off the second inning, which set the tone for the Mets' offensive surge. His blast was the third of the season, and it was followed by back-to-back doubles from Luisangel Acuña and Luis Torrens, extending the Mets' lead to 2-0 early in the game.
The Athletics managed to respond in the bottom of the second, with Miguel Andújar driving in Shea Langeliers to cut the Mets' lead in half. However, the Mets were quick to regain momentum, as Alonso's RBI double in the fifth pushed the lead to 3-1. Despite the Athletics' efforts, the Mets' lineup proved to be relentless.
Griffin Canning, making his debut for the Mets after signing as a free agent in December, pitched into the sixth inning, allowing four runs on seven hits. His outing was punctuated by a two-run homer from Andújar in the sixth, which brought the Athletics within two runs at 6-4. Canning's performance, while not flawless, showcased his potential as he struck out three batters over 5 1/3 innings.
As the game progressed, the Mets continued to build their lead. In the sixth inning, after loading the bases, Alonso's sacrifice fly brought in a run, and Starling Marte followed with a two-run double, pushing the Mets' advantage to 6-1. "I think the biggest moment of the game is Starling hitting that ball and getting those runs in," Alonso stated, highlighting the team's collective effort.
Even with a comfortable lead, the Mets faced a late-game scare. Edwin Diaz, who has struggled with a 7.94 ERA this season, entered the game in the ninth inning. After allowing two runs on two walks and a hit, he managed to secure his third save by retiring Jacob Wilson with the tying run on second base. "I didn’t command my pitches to the lefties the way I wanted," Diaz admitted after the game, acknowledging the pressure he faced.
The Mets' victory marked their ninth win of the season, improving their record to 9-4. Notably, they are the only major league team that hasn’t allowed more than five runs in a game this season, a streak reminiscent of their 1978 season when they didn’t allow more than five runs in their first 20 games.
As the teams prepare for the second game of the three-game series on Saturday, the Mets will send lefty David Peterson to the mound, while the Athletics will call up right-hander J.T. Ginn from Triple-A Las Vegas to make the start. Fans are eager to see if the Mets can continue their strong offensive display and maintain their impressive start to the season.
The matchup promises to be an exciting continuation of this series, as both teams look to solidify their positions in the standings. With the Mets riding high on their recent performances, they will aim to keep the momentum going against the Athletics, who are still searching for consistency at their temporary home.
In a game filled with highlights, it was clear that the Mets' offensive strategy of grinding out at-bats and making opposing pitchers work was on full display. The Athletics, on the other hand, will need to regroup and find ways to capitalize on scoring opportunities if they hope to turn their season around.
As the season progresses, the Mets are proving to be a formidable force in the National League, and with players like Alonso leading the charge, the excitement surrounding this team is palpable. Can they keep up their impressive performance and make a serious run this season? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: the Mets are a team to watch.
