Pete Alonso’s spring continued on Tuesday night. A sizzling baseman added another Kieran scoring double to win the Phillies 5-1 at Citifield.
And he added some great pieces with the glove. Especially when Alonso chose a tough throw from Mark Vientos to prevent a run.
Carlos Mendoza then called Alonso “probably the best game in the game,” scooped out a ball of dirt on a base.
“For me, I want to be the best base I can,” Alonso said. “That’s part of my game and position and I take great pride in it all.”
But Alonso’s calling card has always been his bat, and on Tuesday he came to the plate with two outs at the bottom of the seventh of the 1-run game, with similarly red-hot Francis Collinder coming third.
Alonso ripped a double to the left to win Lindor, the 25th RBI of the young season – tied with Judge Aaron in most of the majors – the Mets showed no signs of slowing down on six consecutive wins.
The two-based hits sparked three innings and helped the Mets seal the victory without the Raining drama.
Alonso was also the third single, hitting the pitch near the left forearm in the fifth.
He shook off a 94-mile sinker from Philadelphia right-handed Joe Ross and stayed in the game after a brief visit from Mendoza and his trainer.
As important as the insurance practice he delivered seventh was to ensure that the Phillies were not able to get from their second score.
With Griffin reaching the mound and troubled most of the first two innings, Philadelphia had already tied the game 1-1 for three straight times, with runners in second and third with two outs.
Trea Turner slams the grounder Vientos gained by distanced his left.
Vientos first threw and bouncing off at an awkward angle, but Alonso made a diving scoop and stepped into his bag to finish the innings and tie the game together.
“I then gave him a big hug,” Vientos said. “He’s underestimated how good he’s over there.”
Alonso has never been known for his defense, and his indicators for that part of the game remain largely inferior.
“I know how many defenses he has. [aren’t good]I think it’s for range,” Mendoza said. “But Pete has a conversation when it comes to picking a ball in the dirt. That play was a game-changer.”
Alonso first made another good pick when Tyrone Taylor doubled Kyle Schwarber from the centre field for the eighth inning with Nick Castellanos’ flyball.
“It’s all about winning the game,” Alonso said. “But I can help us do it whether it’s going to raise the points or play first. That’s all I care about.”
