MLB2 hours ago2 minute read

Alonso Hits Milestone but Orioles Win in Extra Innings

Pete Alonso hit his 300th home run to tie the game, but an 11th inning inside the park home run gave the Orioles a 7-5 win.

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Alonso Hits Milestone Against Former Team

Pete Alonso made his return to Citi Field a memorable one. The former Mets star, who signed with the Baltimore Orioles last December, hit his 300th career home run in the ninth inning on Tuesday night. The 414 foot solo shot off Kodai Senga tied the score at 3.

Alonso had been hitless in his first seven plate appearances of the series. After his game tying blast, he spiked his bat and rounded the bases to a roaring crowd of 28,097. Fans chanted his name, prompting a curtain call, before turning their frustration toward Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns with chants of "Fire Stearns." It was the first blown save of the year for Senga in eight chances.

Late Game Drama Decides It

The game pushed into extra innings, where both teams traded runs in the 10th. Christian Encarnacion-Strand scored on a wild pitch for the Orioles, but Marcus Semien answered with a one out RBI double for the Mets to tie the game again at 4-4.

The Orioles broke the game open in the 11th inning. With two outs, Coby Mayo hit a deep drive to center field off Jonathan Pintaro. Rookie outfielder A.J. Ewing crashed into the fence as the ball glanced off his glove. With Ewing down on the ground, the ball rolled away, allowing Mayo to sprint around the bases for a three run, inside the park home run.

The Mets tried to rally in the bottom of the 11th. Bo Bichette hit a two out RBI single off Andrew Kittredge, but Kittredge held on to secure his 10th save. Alex Hoppe earned the win, while Pintaro took the loss.

Playoff Hopes and Season Records

With the 7-5 victory, the Orioles improved to 74 wins and 78 losses. They remain three games behind Cleveland for the final American League playoff spot. Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Jeremiah Jackson also hit home runs for Baltimore.

The Mets fell to 69 wins and 82 losses and are guaranteed a losing season. They had already been eliminated from playoff contention on Monday. Carson Benge hit a home run for New York, while Jared Young added a sacrifice fly and Juan Soto had an RBI single.

What it means for the next game

Baltimore Orioles at New York Mets (MLB, Wed, 16 Sep): New York Mets win 48%, Baltimore Orioles win 52%; projected score New York Mets 4, Baltimore Orioles 4. Our safest pick: Mets +2.5.

Philadelphia Phillies at New York Mets (MLB, Thu, 17 Sep): New York Mets win 47%, Philadelphia Phillies win 53%; projected score New York Mets 4, Philadelphia Phillies 4. Our safest pick: Mets +2.5.