The Mets dropped a brutal one to the Orioles tonight, falling 2-1 at Citi Field, even with Jonah Tong dealing out there. Seriously, this one stings because they only managed six hits but left a mind-boggling nine runners stranded on base. NINE! That’s just unacceptable in a one-run game.
Alonso’s Return and Tong’s Dominance Can’t Save the Offense
Pete Alonso made his emotional return to Citi Field with his new team, and you know the crowd absolutely went wild. Thunderous applause, cheers, his name chanted throughout the stadium when he stepped up to the plate. It was pure theater, even if he did fly out to Carson Benge in right field in that first inning. But the real story early on was Jonah Tong. He looked absolutely locked in, striking out Dylan Beavers to kick things off before getting Alonso and then retiring Gunnar Henderson for a clean 1-2-3 start. This dude was pitching his heart out, looking sharp as a tack.
But the offense? Not so much. In the bottom of the first, Francisco Lindor walked to lead off, but Juan Soto popped out, and Bo Bichette hit into a double play. Just like that, the rally was dead. The Orioles got on the board in the second when Jackson Holliday hit a one-out single, moved to second on a passed ball by Francisco Alvarez, and then scored when Heston Kjerstad drilled a double past Brett Baty. That ball took a weird hop, and Holliday was in. Orioles up 1-0. Then, in the bottom of the second, the Mets had a golden chance, loading the bases with two outs after Marcus Semien singled and both A.J. Ewing and Baty walked. But Alvarez struck out on a foul tip, leaving all three stranded. Again! Alonso even drew a two-out walk in the third, only to be stranded when Tong struck out Henderson again.
A Moment of Hope Extinguished by Stranded Runners
The Mets kept battling, though. Juan Soto and Carson Benge both singled in the bottom of the third, but Jared Young grounded out, stranding them both. We saw a glimmer of hope in the bottom of the fourth when A.J. Ewing absolutely drilled a home run into right field, tying the game at 1-1. It felt like the momentum was finally shifting. Alvarez followed up with an infield hit after Coby Mayo bobbled his ground ball, but what happened next? You guessed it: Alvarez was stranded when Lindor struck out, ending the inning tied 1-1.
Tong came back out in the fifth, Colton Cowser singled, but the next three batters went down in order. Then, in the bottom of the fifth, Soto walked and even stole second with two outs, and Young drew a walk, putting runners on first and second. It was set up perfectly. But Semien grounded out, ending the threat and crushing any hope for a late-game rally. Tong was still dealing in the sixth, needing only six pitches to retire… well, he was still out there, giving it his all. But the score remained 2-1. This team has to figure out how to drive in those runners. You can’t win tight games when you leave that many guys on base. They just gotta find a way to capitalize next time.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Amazin’ Avenue.
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