New York, USA — The New York Mets prevented their season from sinking into historically dangerous waters by snapping an eight-game losing streak thanks to a Pete Alonso walk-off home run in the tenth inning, which sealed the 5-2 victory over the Texas Rangers at Citi Field.
With the game tied 2-2 in extra innings, the Rangers decided to intentionally walk the Dominican Juan Soto to face Alonso with a runner on second. The strategy backfired: the New York first baseman responded with a three-run home run to the opposite field that unleashed euphoria in Queens.
The day was not easy for the Mets. Once again, they squandered a two-run lead, after Joc Pederson tied the score with a two-run single in the seventh inning against Reed Garrett. However, the bullpen knew how to contain the threat: Puerto Rican Edwin Díaz and Ryne Stanek worked with a cool head, leaving men on third base with less than two outs in the ninth and tenth innings.
The victory not only allowed New York to avoid the uncomfortable mark of nine straight losses in the midst of the fight for classification, but also gave it a one-game lead over the Giants in the battle for the last National League Wild Card, and a two-game margin over the Reds. The Mets have an advantage in the direct tiebreaker against San Francisco, although not against Cincinnati.
As a side effect, the triumph also delayed the celebration of the Philadelphia Phillies, who needed a Mets loss to be crowned champions of the National League East. Now, those led by Rob Thomson will have to wait until the start of their series against the Dodgers to try to secure the division.
With Alonso as the hero and a breather in the standings, the Mets will look to capitalize on the momentum to consolidate themselves in the final stretch of the season.
With the game tied 2-2 in extra innings, the Rangers decided to intentionally walk the Dominican Juan Soto to face Alonso with a runner on second. The strategy backfired: the New York first baseman responded with a three-run home run to the opposite field that unleashed euphoria in Queens.
