After several weeks of four players being within a home run or two at the top of the Major League leader board, we finally have some separation. It comes in the form of Mets rookie Pete Alonso, who hit two solo homers on Monday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Alonso has 47 home runs and appears to be on his way to the half-century mark. He broke a tie with the Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout, who sits at 45 home runs. The Los Angeles Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger and Milwaukee Brewers’ Christian Yelich have been stuck on 44, where they’ve been joined by the Cincinnati Reds’ Eugenio Suarez.
While most of the other contenders have slowed, it was Alonso’s fifth home run in the past eight games.
.@Pete_Alonso20 has opened September with an 8-game hitting streak and 5 home runs. pic.twitter.com/n0h1EWWwER
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) September 10, 2019
Twice as nice
Alonso opened the scoring with a solo home run off Diamondbacks starter Merrill Kelly, then added another in the fifth for a 3-1 lead.
“When they throw him strikes, he’s going to hit the ball hard,” Mets manager Mickey Callaway said, according to the Associated Press. “That’s first and foremost. There’s got to be some anxiety with pitchers having to face Pete. So, if he doesn’t get on via hit, he’s getting on via walk. He’s just a great hitter.”
It was an important win for the Mets, too. It kept them four games behind the Chicago Cubs for the final NL playoff spot, while the Diamondbacks dropped 2.5 behind.
No. 47.@Pete_Alonso20 doesn’t want to let go of the HR lead. pic.twitter.com/tQu7vecFmq
— MLB (@MLB) September 10, 2019
Record chasing
Alonso isn’t just helping the Mets chase a playoff spot. He’s also chasing down Aaron Judge’s rookie record of 52 home runs.
It seems like a foregone conclusion he’ll get there, but home run hitters can cool off quickly. Bellinger and Yelich have slowed while Trout has been dealing with minor injuries.
But the Polar Bear keeps raking. How high can he go?
He needs 6 homers with just 19 games left to play …
Will @Pete_Alonso20 unseat Judge? pic.twitter.com/VKMXrwnpUu
— MLB (@MLB) September 10, 2019
