FINALLY! The Mets put a full stop to their 8-game skid, and it was their $54M slugger who hit the game-winning homer in extra innings. That 389-foot big fly not only gave the NYM a 5-2 walk-off win, but it also sent teammates out of the dugout to celebrate. The roar of the crowd at the field felt like a reset button for a club that had been looking for answers all week. Carlos Mendoza, the manager, had just said, “Nobody’s happy,” down the stretch, this night brought hope— thanks to his first baseman.
The man behind the moment was Pete Alonso! He inked a two-year, $54 million contract with the Mets earlier this year with a player option for 2026. Polar Bear stepped into the box with the game at 2-2 in the 10th against Jose Leclerc, a reliever for the Rangers. What happened next was classic Alonso: a swing that sent the ball soaring into the left-field seats, bringing home three runs and ending the Mets’ losing streak in style. This was his 35th home run of the season, and perhaps the most timely one yet.
After the win, when asked about his impact, Carlos Mendoza has nothing but praise. “His ability to stay locked in, his ability to slow the game down and don’t get too big, he’s powerful, all he’s gotta do is touch it pretty much and the ball is gonna go. And we’ve seen it with the way he drives the ball the other way, and he did it again today…And that was pretty impressive,” Mendoza said. “He’s an elite hitter and a clutch hitter. When you look up at his numbers, he’s special.”
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Let’s take a look at his numbers that made him special. He has an average of .266, 117 RBIs and an OPS of .852, which makes him one of the best hitters in the NL. His ability to change the game with just one swing has made him a key player in the clubhouse.
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It’s not the first time he has changed the game in the late innings this season. Remember how with his sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth inning to secure a walk-off 4-3 victory for the Mets against the Pirates on May 13th? That’s the kind of impact he has in the ballclub.
And yet, his future with the Orange and Blue is unsure. There are whispers swirling around Citifield, he might be wearing different colours next season as his contract is coming to an end. “We’ll see what happens. I love it, it’s great. But you can’t really predict anything,” Alonso said, per New York Post Sports. The uncertainty makes every crucial hit, celebration, and moment more special, as it could be his last season with the NYM.
But for now, Alonso is focused on the playoffs. After the win, he said, “We need as many as we can [get] and just do the best we can to stack them.” Truth to be told, with only 12 regular-season games left, the Queens have to give their best if the playoffs are something they’re eyeing.
While Alonso’s homer became the spotlight, the win showed a complete team effort from pitching to offense.
Pitching, power, and a walk-off: Mets’ magic in the wild-card mix
Pete Alonso’s homer was indeed an impactful but in the win, he wasn’t the only one who put on a show. The Mets clearly bounced back in all areas. Rookie Nolan McLean pitched six scoreless innings, giving up five hits, striking out seven, walking two, and keeping the Rangers from hitting while he was on the mound.
And the bullpen kept things steady, too. Ryne Stanek, Edwin Diaz, and others held down the Rangers in the late innings to keep the game tied and create a great setup that led to Alonso’s heroics.
Beyond Alonso’s hit, the other hitters also contributed throughout the game. The first run came from Alvarez’s bat when he hit a double and sprinted hard around the bases. Then, Brandon Nimmo hit a single home run in the sixth inning. After Nimmo, Lindor’s defense, specifically his 6-4-3 double play that ended a rally in the ninth, also kept the momentum going in the NYM’s favour.
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The win was important not only for morale but also for the team’s standing in the playoffs. They now have a record of 77-73 and kept the third Wild Card spot in the NL. They are ahead of the Cincinnati Reds by 2 1/2 games, the D-Backs by two games, and the Giants by 1 1/2 games. From here onwards, every win is a must for the wild-card spot.
This game sent a clear message: steady pitching, key hits, and Alonso’s performance led to a significant win. The next games will be challenging, but this win was crucial for regaining momentum as October looms closer.