New York Mets rookie first baseman Pete Alonso hit his 49th home run in the team’s 7-4 victory over the Colorado Rockies
The New York Mets are fighting with all of their might to stay alive in the NL Wild Card race. The team entered play on Sept. 18 four games behind the Chicago Cubs for the second Wild Card spot but picked up a half-game with their 7-4 victory over the Colorado Rockies (the Cubs had yet to play at the time of this writing).
The Mets, like so many times before, were led to their victory by Pete Alonso. The rookie first baseman hit his 49th home run of the season in the victory, a solo blast to left field that cut the Rockies lead to 3-2 at the time.
4⃣9⃣. pic.twitter.com/7LKYMaptYs
— New York Mets (@Mets) September 18, 2019
Alonso’s moonshot gives him a two home run lead over Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez for the major league lead. His also tied slugger Mark McGwire for second all-time in home runs hit by a rookie. He is three shy of New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge‘s 52, set in 2017.
Alonso took advantage of the thin air in Colorado, homering in back-to-back games to give his team the series victory after dropping the opener. The Polar Bear has put the team on his broad shoulders more often than not, and it a big reason why the team is still in the playoff hunt.
The Mets have an opportunity to make up some ground after their off-day Thursday, as the visit the Reds for three games and then host the struggling Miami Marlins for four games. However, they have to wrap their season up with three games against the Atlanta Braves.
