Rookie Pete Alonso's first major league home run capped a four-run ninth inning and the visiting New York Mets beat the Miami Marlins 7-3 on Monday night.
Dominic Smith led off the ninth with a single and Juan Lagares was hit on the hand while attempting to sacrifice. Marlins manager Don Mattingly challenged -- if the pitch hit the bat it would have been a foul bunt and strike three -- but the call was upheld upon review.
With one out, Ahmed Rosario grounded a single to right off Drew Steckenrider (0-1) to score Smith before Alonso sent a first-pitch fastball over the center field fence for a 444-foot three-run homer.
The Marlins loaded the bases against Mets closer Edwin Diaz in the bottom of the inning before Diaz fanned three straight to end it.
Lagares also homered for the Mets and Jeurys Familia (1-0) pitched a scoreless eighth for the win.
Starlin Castro had a home run for the Marlins.
Steven Matz started for New York and gave up three runs -- one earned -- on six hits while striking out three in 5 1/3 innings. Marlins starter Caleb Smith gave up two runs on four hits in five innings.
Miami's Miguel Rojas struck out swinging to lead off the bottom of the first but reached first on a passed ball by catcher Wilson Ramos. Two outs later Castro homered on a 2-2 curveball and the Marlins led 2-0.
After Michael Conforto and Ramos singled with one out in the second, Jeff McNeil doubled home Conforto.
The Mets tied it in the fourth when J.D. Davis doubled and scored on a wild pitch.
Miami took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the sixth.
With one on and one out, Brian Anderson singled to center. Rosell Herrera -- who reached base on a fielder's choice -- went to third and Anderson to second on centerfielder Lagares' errant throw to third. Castro followed with a single to score Herrera.
Lagares tied the score with an opposite-field home run leading off the seventh.
--Field Level Media
NY Mets | Miami | |
Steven Matz | Player | Caleb Smith |
No Decision | W/L | No Decision |
5.1 | IP | 5.0 |
3 | Strikeouts | 8 |
6 | Hits | 4 |
1.69 | ERA | 3.60 |
NY Mets | Miami | |
Michael Conforto | Player | Starlin Castro |
2 | Hits | 2 |
0 | RBI | 3 |
0 | HR | 1 |
2 | TB | 5 |
.667 | Avg | .667 |