Mets Morning News: Pete Alonso makes history in loss to Braves

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The Mets fell to the Braves for the second straight night by a score of 9-5, as Zack Wheeler put the Mets in a 4-1 hole early. However, the Mets battled back, punctuated by Pete Alonso’s 41st home run of the season—a three-run shot that tied the franchise single season home run record. However, Zack Wheeler was unable to protect the lead and the bullpen combined with some poor defense allowed the Braves to open up another lead in the late innings, which they would hold on to. Edwin Diaz left the game with what the Mets are calling “trap tightness” and is day-to-day for the time being, as he will be reevaluated today. However, in his return Jeff McNeil collected two hits in two at-bats and will be in the starting lineup for today’s game.

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Pete Alonso posed for a photo with his history-making home run ball. With the home run, he also reached 100 RBIs, which gives him a chance to break that single-season Mets record as well.

Mickey Callaway said “it’s really hard to say” if Edwin Diaz will end up on the injured list due to his trap tightness. Diaz himself, however, didn’t seem concerned about the issue.

Last night was the third straight shaky outing for Zack Wheeler. “Out of the stretch I was a little off today, but nothing really changed from the bullpen to the game,” Wheeler said after the game. “Just trying to throw more four-seams, arm-side, and that just wasn’t there in the first few innings, so I kind of said screw it and started throwing two-seam, because I knew it was going to be there.” He also pointed out that he needs to be better about getting ahead of guys in the count.

The Mets have never won two of the four major awards—MVP, Rookie of the Year, Cy Young, and Manager of the Year—in one season. This year, they may have a shot to do it, writes Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

On that subject, as a shellacking at the hands of the Yankees sent Hyun-Jin Ryu’s ERA over 2.00, Jacob deGrom is right back in the Cy Young conversation and has Ryu beat in many categories, writes John Harper of MetsBlog.

Brandon Nimmo was off last night and resumes his minor league assignment today. At this point, Mickey Callaway remains unsure if Nimmo will join the Mets when rosters expand.

Callaway is also unsure where exactly he will slot Jeff McNeil into the lineup, given Rosario’s success in the leadoff spot. He also said McNeil will see time at multiple positions. McNeil was activated from the injured list ahead of yesterday’s game.

In Jeff McNeil’s absence from the lineup, Juan Lagares has really stepped it up, writes Tim Britton of The Athletic.

Pete Alonso is an active user of Greenfly, a company that sends content creators to every game and uploads that content for players to use. The company was co-founded by former Met Shawn Green and Alonso feels it is a great way to capture his career and send content to his family and friends.

Around the National League East

Last night was Francisco Cervelli’s first game as a Brave and he has already made an impact.

The Nationals bested the Cubs 7-2, as their offense stays hot and the team keeps rolling.

Even though he has returned from the injured list, Max Scherzer says he is “not out of the woods,” and is determined to keep himself strong and healthy so that he can keep helping the Nationals down the stretch.

The Phillies bounced back from Friday night’s drubbing to beat the Marlins 9-3.

The Marlins had a little bit of Players’ Weekend fun, recreating a Backstreet Boys album cover in their all white uniforms and dubbing it “Marlinium.”

Around Major League Baseball

The Orioles have cleaned house in their scouting department, which included local Baltimore heroes and many baseball lifers. However, Dan Connolly of The Athletic is concerned that this is less about a philosophical change for the organization’s new front office and more about just saving money.

Vladamir Guerrero Jr.’s grandmother has been cooking for her son, her grandson, and their teammates for twenty years. James Wagner wrote a profile of her for the New York Times.

Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com includes the Mets’ jumping right back into contention as one of seven things nobody saw coming this season.

Former Met Wilmer Flores has been dealing with a back issue in Arizona, but it does not appear to be serious. Flores has not played since Tuesday.

Jose Alvarado is back on the injured list again for the Rays.

Pablo Sandoval will undergo Tommy John Surgery, ending his 2019 season.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

Ken Lavin brought us the Daily Prospect Report, in which knuckleballer Mickey Jannis pitched a brilliant game for the Rumble Ponies.

John Trupin detailed the rough path prospect Andres Giminez has taken this season attempting to adjust his swing.

I covered the roster moves the Mets made ahead of last night’s game.

This Date in Mets History

On this date in 2009, the Mets shut Johan Santana down for the season with bone chips in his elbow. It was one of multiple seasons during Santana’s tenure as a Met that would be ravaged by injuries.