The 2024 Mets are still alive in the NLCS after Friday’s Game 5 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Pete Alonso is a big reason why.
The cleanup-batting first baseman’s latest clutch postseason moment came on a three-run home run, a first-inning blast to center on a 2-1 slider at 85 mph off Jack Flaherty that gave New York a 3-0 lead it did not relinquish as its season continues.
“Right after, couple of good at-bats and then Pete with a big one to set the tone,” said manager Carlos Mendoza. “We just need to continue to add on, because we saw it — they’re not going to shut down. They’re going to continue to put pressure on you. That’s a really good offense there. I’m proud of the guys, definitely Pete — a big one in the first inning.”
The Mets totaled 14 hits, but Alonso’s lone homer left a lingering impact.
“He changed the vibe, for sure, in the dugout,” said shortstop Francisco Lindor, whose 2-for-4 night included an RBI triple in the third inning that extended the Mets’ 7-1 lead. “To see what Pete does best … the momentum was on our side right there. It was just a matter of staying with that momentum with quality at-bats.”
After the long ball, Alonso reached base three more times — a walk, hit-by-pitch and leadoff single in the eighth inning — as the Mets kept the Dodgers at a distance.
“Being able to jump out to a lead is important, but honestly, I thought that the most impressive part was, every time that they scored, we had an answer for it,” Alonso said. “I thought that just our pitchers threw the ball really well.
“… Every time that they scored, the most important thing was the team effort, continuing to add on whether it’s manufacturing a run or it’s someone having a big hit. It was just unbelievable at-bats, up and down the lineup.”
As the series returns to Los Angeles for Sunday’s 8:08 p.m. Game 6, are more big moments in store for Alonso?
“This group is so special,” Alonso said. “We’ve faced adversity. We’ve bounced back, time and time again, over the course of the year. Even if you look at the Wild Card, this group has been so resilient. You look at the path of everything, it’s completely unexplainable. But we’re all just happy to have another opportunity to fight another day, and we’ll be ready.
“We love opportunities. This is what we want to continue to play for. Today was all about figure it out, get to Game 6. And we have that opportunity, and it’s going to be the same mentality — figure it out, get to Game 7. That’s what it is — survive the day — and we did, and we’re really, really excited for the opportunity coming up.”
