Alonso Grand Slams Lifts Mets Over Nationals

A Pete Alonso grand slam in the fifth inning and home runs by Brandon Nimmo and Jake Hager lifted the New York Mets over the Washington Nationals on Thursday afternoon at Clover Park 8-4.

Nimmo got the scoring started early for the Mets, hitting a lead-off home run to right field.

But the Nationals answered back in the fifth inning after Josh Harrison brought home Víctor Robles on an RBI double to left field to tie the game at one run apiece. Ryan Zimmerman, who opted out of the 2020 season, then hit a three-run home run off Dellin Betances to put the Nationals up 4-1.

Betances only recorded two outs and got bailed out by a rolling inning.

The Nationals wouldn’t hold the lead for long, as Alonso connected on a pitch from Cole Henry in the bottom of fifth that sailed over the right field fence to bring home Drew Ferguson, Mallex Smith, and José Peraza.

Henry would only record two outs due to another rolling inning.

In the bottom of the seventh, Hager homered to left field to bring home Brett Baty and extend the lead to 7-4. A bases loaded walk for Peraza in the eighth scored Ronny Mauricio to put the Mets up 8-4.

Nimmo had another strong day at the plate, reaching three times and recording a home run and an infield single.

Mets fans got to see some familiar names on the mound today. Starting pitcher David Peterson allowed just one hit in two innings. Jeurys Familia escaped trouble after walking two in the third inning, while Robert Gsellman got out of a bases loaded jam in the seventh inning after giving up two hits and a walk. Newly acquired Trevor May allowed no runs and walked one.

Jacob deGrom will take the bump on Saturday as the Mets (2-2) take on the Houston Astros (1-2) at 6:05 at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.

(Photo: Michael Reaves/Getty Images)