Pete Alonso broke out of an extended slump with a key three-run home run on Wednesday afternoon, helping the New York Mets to a 6-3 win over the Los Angeles Angels and completing a three-game series sweep at Citi Field. The Mets, who have now swept five series this season, received additional contributions from Francisco Lindor and Brandon Nimmo to close their homestand on a high note.
The Mets entered the game as moderate favorites with moneyline odds around -150, while the Angels were listed near +125. The over/under was set at 8.5 total runs, a figure reached in the seventh inning and held through the remainder of the contest.
Nimmo opened the game by hitting his 14th career leadoff home run, setting the tone for a New York offense that quickly capitalized on Los Angeles’ bullpen day. Lindor ended his career-long 0-for-31 slump in the third inning with an RBI single. Alonso, who had been 2-for-34 at the plate since July 10, followed two batters later with his first home run since July 8. The three-run shot was the 248th of his career, placing him just four shy of Darryl Strawberry’s franchise record for the Mets.
The Mets added another run in the fourth inning on Lindor’s second RBI single of the game, giving the home team a 5-1 advantage. New York would tack on one more run in the seventh before turning the game over to its bullpen to preserve the lead.
Sean Manaea made his second start after returning from his oblique and elbow injuries. The left-hander allowed one run on four hits while striking out five across five innings, earning his first win and improving to 1-1. Edwin Díaz entered in the eighth, recording the final four outs for his 21st save of the year.
Los Angeles briefly narrowed the gap in the seventh inning. Mike Trout hit a solo home run in the third for the Angels’ first run, marking his career’s 396th homer and 999th RBI. Trout is approaching two significant milestones: 400 career home runs and 1,000 batted in. Luis Rengifo drove in a run on a forceout, and Chris Taylor added an RBI double later in the seventh to bring the score to 6-3. The Angels could not capitalize further and were swept in a series for the seventh time this season.
Jake Eder, the third of three Angels pitchers used in a planned bullpen game, was charged with the loss. The left-hander gave up five earned runs over six innings, the longest outing of his brief major league career.
The Mets will begin a six-game road trip on Friday in San Francisco, where right-hander Clay Holmes (8-5, 3.48 ERA) is expected to start the series opener against Giants right-hander Logan Webb (9-7, 3.08 ERA). The Angels return home to host the Seattle Mariners for a four-game series beginning Thursday. Yusei Kikuchi (4-6, 3.13 ERA) will face Seattle’s Logan Evans (3-3, 3.81 ERA) in the opener.