Francisco Alvarez hit a solo home run with one out in the ninth inning to give the New York Mets a 4-3 victory over the Baltimore Orioles.
Francisco Alvarez busted out of his slump in a big way, hitting a solo home run with one out in the ninth inning to give the New York Mets a 4-3 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Monday night in MLB.
J.D. Martinez launched an early two-run shot and Tyrone Taylor had an RBI single as the Mets moved within 1 1/2 games of idle Atlanta for the last National League wild card.
“We talk about how deep our lineup is, but we need these guys to get going,” New York manager Carlos Mendoza said. “As a hitter, when you get a hold of one like that, it can get you back on track. Hopefully, that’s the case here.”
Ramón Urías hit a tying homer in the seventh for the Orioles, who dropped a half-game behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East.
Alvarez, who began the night batting .167 since the All-Star break, drove a 3-0 fastball from Seranthony Domínguez (3-3) to left-center for his first game-ending hit in the majors.
“I got behind and he took a good pitch 2-0,” Domínguez said. “He was patient and he made good contact.”
It was the first homer in 16 games, since July 26, for the 22-year-old catcher. Before beginning his trot, he admired the 421-foot drive, shouted, pounded his chest, and gestured emphatically toward the New York dugout.
“It’s been hard for him,” Mendoza said. “He cares so much and he wants to win. At times, when we’re struggling offensively as a team, he feels like he’s responsible.”
After circling the bases, Alvarez tossed his batting helmet high as he approached excited teammates waiting to swarm him at home plate to celebrate New York’s eighth walk-off win of the year.
Francisco Alvarez dramatically sheds his struggles:
The walk-off hit was Alvarez’s first of his career, but it also snapped a noticeable drought for the 22-year-old catcher.
Alvarez, who homered 25 times in his rookie season, had not homered since July 26 against the Braves. It was only his sixth home run of the season.
“It’s been hard for him, 22 years old and struggling at the big league level,” Mendoza said. “He cares so much and he wants to win. At times when we’re struggling offensively as a team, he feels like he’s responsible.
“The homer, the impact, I like the at-bats as of late, but it’s been a while for him to finally hit one out of the ballpark. In that situation, to give us a win, happy for him.”
The Mets jumped ahead 3-0 in the fourth inning. Following a leadoff double from Pete Alonso into the left-center field gap, Tyrone Taylor laced a two-out RBI single through the left side to build the Mets’ lead to 3-0.
But the Mets’ offense went silent over the next four innings. They struck out 11 times across their final 13 at-bats as a team before Alvarez lifted them to victory.
