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New York Mets’ Pete Alonso hits a home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Tuesday, July 25, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
BRONX — All New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso needed to break out of his slump was a night in the friendly confines of Yankee Stadium.
The slugger socked two home runs and drove in five against Domingo German as his side defeated the Yankees (53-48) in the two-game Subway Series opener on Tuesday night 9-3.
Alonso had been entrenched in the largest slump of his career, batting just .190 dating back to May 1 while being held without a home run in his previous 12 games. His five RBI, coming on a three-run third-inning shot and a lead-off solo fly in the sixth, matched his output over his previous 13 games.
“Every day is a new day and I’m just really happy that today was an excellent day,” Alonso said. “It doesn’t matter if we’re playing the Yankees or Red Sox or Nationals because right now we’re at a point of the season where all wins matter.”
The big night, which also featured three RBI from Jeff McNeil, provided plenty of support for starting pitcher Justin Verlander, who continues his ascension in Mets colors with a second-consecutive gem.
Working around four walks while surrendering just two hits in six scoreless innings with six strikeouts, Verlander has now allowed just a single run on five hits with 13 strikeouts over his last two starts (14 innings pitched) to lower his season ERA to 3.24.
“I found my groove,” Verlander said. “I’m pitching better. I talked a lot about being more deceptive early on and adjustments I needed to make to find that and I feel like there’s about a million adjustments so I don’t know if I can narrow it down to one or two, but just nice to see better reactions on pitches from hitters. Good…
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