Pete Alonso’s return to Citi Field ended with a warm reception but a disappointing result for the New York Mets, who were eliminated from postseason contention after falling 2-1 to the Baltimore Orioles on Monday night.
New York dropped to 69-81 with the loss, officially ending its playoff hopes, while Baltimore improved to 73-78. The game remained tied until Gunnar Henderson broke the deadlock in the eighth inning, driving a hanging slider from Dedniel Núñez over the right-center field wall for the go-ahead home run.
Alonso, who spent the first several seasons of his career with New York before joining Baltimore, received a pregame tribute and multiple ovations from Mets fans. He acknowledged the crowd before his first at-bat and finished 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout.
Jonah Tong turned in one of New York’s strongest pitching performances in his second start since returning to the major leagues. The rookie right-hander surrendered one unearned run on four hits over six innings, striking out six and walking one while throwing 83 pitches, 57 of them for strikes.
Baltimore took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Heston Kjerstad doubled home Jackson Holliday. A.J. Ewing answered in the fourth with a solo home run, his 10th of the season. That made him the 11th Mets player to reach double-digit home runs this season, establishing a franchise record.
New York had opportunities to take control but went 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position and left nine runners on base. Francisco Alvarez struck out with the bases loaded in the second inning, while Marcus Semien and Jared Young each grounded out with runners aboard.
Jonathan Pintaro worked a scoreless seventh, while Kodai Senga escaped a bases-loaded threat and kept Baltimore’s lead at one entering the ninth.
Baltimore reliever Rico Garcia retired the Mets in order in the bottom of the ninth to complete the victory.
The teams meet again Tuesday at 7:10 p.m., with Sean Manaea scheduled to start for New York against Baltimore’s Shane Baz.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.