Alonso's milestone and the crowd's response
Pete Alonso, playing his first series at Citi Field as a visiting player, hit his 300th career home run in the ninth inning off Kodai Senga, tying the score. The Baltimore Orioles eventually won 7-5 in 11 innings. Alonso spent 2019 through 2025 with the Mets and hit 123 home runs in that ballpark. His reaction suggested he enjoyed the moment.[S1]
Mets starter Sean Manaea told reporters after the game that he understands fans in Queens feel strongly about Alonso, but their reaction to an opposing player hitting a home run was 'crazy to me.'[S1]
Teammates' frustration and the manager's message
Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor said after Monday's game that he was disappointed fans did not give more appreciation to Jonah Tong, specifically after the rookie pitcher was booed for walking Alonso in the third inning.[S1]
Interim manager Andy Green told reporters the Mets need to not let external factors out of their control impact their performance on the field. He said people are free to do whatever they want to do on the field, and that the team's job is to never let anything external impact the way they go about playing the game. He added that this is tough in certain circumstances and that players may struggle with it at times.[S1]
Context: a last-place season and strong attendance
It is not a surprise Mets fans have had as much enthusiasm about Alonso's return as anything this season. There has not been a lot to cheer for in Queens with the team closing in on a last-place finish in the NL East for the first time since 2003.[S1]
The combined attendance of 63,097 at Citi Field for the first two games against the Orioles is the most for any two-game home stretch for the Mets since Aug. 18-19 against the San Diego Padres.[S1]
