Pete Alonso
AP Photo/Gregory Bull

The New York Mets losing streak now sits at six games, but slugging first baseman Pete Alonso shows no signs of slowing down.

Despite the New York Mets‘ sixth-straight loss, Friday was a good day for Pete Alonso.

It was announced in the afternoon that he would compete in the Home Run Derby on July 8 at Progressive Field.

Once Friday’s showdown with the Atlanta Braves began, he showed why. Down 3-0 in the fourth inning, Alonso ripped a solo home run to left, his 28th of the season.

This moves Alonso out of a tie with Cody Bellinger for sole possession of second place in the National League home run race. Christian Yelich is only one ahead with 29.

Unfortunately, this was about the only bright spot for the Mets in Friday’s 6-2 loss.

Jacob deGrom got the start and wasn’t great, but did turn in another quality start. The right-hander went six innings, allowing three runs on six hits. He walked two and struck out seven.

Austin Riley got the night started with a bang with a two-run home run in the second. The Braves would add another run in the third as Ronald Acuna Jr. scored on a Josh Donaldson sacrifice fly.

After Alonso’s home run, it looked like the Mets might get back into it. Todd Frazier scored on a Tomas Nido single in the seventh to cut the lead to 3-2.

It wouldn’t be a 2019 Mets game if we didn’t have a reliever struggle. Wilmer Font pitched a clean seventh, then Robert Gsellman came on for the eighth.

With two outs, Johan Camargo ripped a three-run double to left center. The bases-clearing double served as the final runs of the night.

Now 9-1 on the season, Atlanta starter Mike Soroka was very good once again. The 21-year-old allowed two runs in 6.1 innings. He didn’t walk a batter and struck out four Mets.

Former Met Anthony Swarzak got the final two outs of the seventh.

Twelve games back in the NL East, the Citi Field fans voiced their displeasure by booing the Mets throughout the game.

Up next

Looking to snap this brutal skid, the Mets will turn to Steven Matz on Saturday. This could be exactly what the doctor ordered for New York. In nine career starts against Atlanta, Matz is 5-1 with a 3.40 ERA.

Right-hander Julio Teheran will go for the Braves. The nine-year veteran is 5-6 with a 3.94 ERA.

A 2018 graduate of Bowling Green State University, Rydquist has been covering the New York Mets for ESNY since 2019. In addition to his work here, he covers Michigan football recruiting for FanSided and NASCAR for CATCHFENCE. He can be found on Twitter @TeddyRydquist.