Pete Alonso hit his 300th career home run in the top of the ninth inning of Tuesday night’s game between the Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets, tying the contest with a solo shot at Citi Field. The Orioles went on to win 7-5 in 11 innings, with Coby Mayo’s inside-the-park home run securing the victory. Alonso, who spent his first seven MLB seasons with the Mets, received a curtain call from the home crowd following his home run, despite now playing for the Orioles.
The Mets, who are in last place in the NL East with a 69-82 record, were mathematically eliminated from postseason contention. Mets pitcher Sean Manaea, who was Alonso’s teammate in Queens during the 2024 and 2025 seasons, publicly criticized the fans’ reaction to Alonso’s home run. Manaea called the celebration “crazy” while acknowledging the fans’ positive feelings toward his former teammate.
Alonso’s return to Citi Field marked his first series back in Queens since signing a five-year, $155 million contract with the Orioles in December. The 31-year-old first baseman hit .293/.388/.543 with 15 home runs and 36 RBIs in 55 games since the All-Star break, after posting .252/.346/.474 with 21 home runs and 65 RBIs in 97 games before the break. Alonso expressed gratitude for the Mets fans’ support, stating, “I appreciate all the support for all the years I’ve been here… It’s a two-way street.”
The Orioles’ social media team trolled the Mets following the victory, posting a clip of Mets center fielder A.J. Ewing’s misplay on Mayo’s game-winning hit with the caption “NEW YORK MESS.” The team also posted Alonso’s home run with the caption “met the moment” and later added, “How do you like them apples?” to rub salt in the wound for the struggling Mets.
Manaea, who allowed two solo home runs in 5.1 innings while striking out six, conceded the Mets’ underperformance but emphasized the team’s effort. “As the 2026 Mets, I know we have definitely underperformed,” he said. “But we are — the guys in here work their (tails) off every single day.” The loss extended the Mets’ losing streak to three games and dropped them 2.5 games behind the Washington Nationals for fourth place in the division.