Queens, NY – In a dramatic ninth‑inning showdown at Citi Field on Tuesday night, former New York Met Pete Alonso delivered his 300th career home run, tying the game against the Baltimore Orioles. The blast, which landed in the bleachers, prompted an enthusiastic standing ovation from the home crowd and an unusual curtain call as fans cheered the hometown hero.
Alonso, now playing for Baltimore, had just returned to Queens for the first series since leaving the Mets in free agency. After the home run, he swung his bat in celebration before trotting the bases, a gesture that resonated with longtime Mets supporters who have missed his presence in the lineup.
Fan reaction and pitcher’s response
Mets fans, still feeling the sting of the front office’s decision to let Alonso walk in free agency last September, gave him a prolonged applause and a curtain call as he rounded the bases. The reaction appeared to irk Orioles starter Sean Manaea, who had allowed two solo homers—including Alonso’s—in 5.1 innings.
“As the 2026 Mets, I know we have definitely underperformed. But we are — the guys in here work their tails off every single day and to have that kind of reaction to an opposing player — could be anybody — is crazy to me,” Manaea said after the game. “Again, I’ve got nothing but respect for Pete. But yeah, I’ve never seen anything like that before. Pete’s not here. He’s just not here. So, I know everybody loves him. He’s the man. But, yeah, he’s not here. So, to see the reaction from the fans like that, I don’t know, it’s just different.”
Alonso’s milestone
The home run marked a historic first: Alonso became the inaugural player in Major League Baseball history to hit his 300th career homer against a team for which he logged more than 1,000 games. He also received a standing ovation before his first at‑bat on Monday night, underscoring the lingering affection Mets fans hold for the power hitter.
After the game, Alonso expressed gratitude for the support he has received throughout his career in New York. “I appreciate all the support for all the years I’ve been here, all the life I’ve lived here,” he said. “Obviously, they’re recognizing that and they appreciate that. It’s a two‑way street. Really appreciate it.”
Game outcome
Despite Alonso’s heroics, the Orioles held on to win 7‑5. The victory moved Baltimore to a 74‑78 record on the season, while the Mets fell to 69‑82, continuing a disappointing campaign that has left the club near the bottom of the National League East and trailing the Washington Nationals by 2.5 games for fourth place.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
