Logo

Access the Mets beat like never before

Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets.

Try it free

Pete Alonso received among the loudest cheers — if not the loudest —during the Mets’ on-field introductions Friday, and that adulation didn’t stop once the game began. 

A one-man mob this week, the slugging first baseman homered in his first plate appearance and received a curtain call after reaching the dugout, setting the tone in a happy home opener in Queens. 

For the first time this season the Mets are above .500, with a 5-0 victory over the Blue Jays in front of a Citi Field sellout of 43,945.

It marked the fifth time in the last six seasons the Mets won a home opener. 

Alonso received a rousing ovation here last year during Game 5 of the NLCS with his future uncertain as the Mets departed for what became their final game of the year, in Los Angeles. 


  Pete Alonso hit a two-run in the first inning of the Mets’ win on Friday in the home opener at Citi Field. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Pete Alonso hit a two-run in the first inning of the Mets’ win on Friday in the home opener at Citi Field. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

But the popular first baseman returned on a two-year contract worth $54 million following protracted negotiations, and the fans got to express their gratitude on this day — first with the big ovation during introductions and then with the curtain call following his first-inning homer. 

“That type of stuff is what you dream about as a kid, and to have that type of support being reciprocated is really special,” Alonso said. “I enjoyed every second of it.” 

After Francisco Lindor doubled leading off, Alonso cleared the right field fence against Kevin Gausman.


  Pete Alonso delivers a curtain call after his first-inning homer. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Pete Alonso delivers a curtain call after his first-inning homer. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

It continued a thunderous week for Alonso, who hit a grand slam on Monday and two days later smashed a three-run blast in the eighth inning that led a comeback victory in Miami. 

“He’s locked in,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “When he is not chasing, when he is laying off some tough pitches, when he’s not missing pitches in the strike zone and he’s using the whole field … it just puts the other team in a difficult spot to make some decisions.” 

Brandon Nimmo, Alonso’s teammate for the last seven seasons, was hardly surprised the first baseman seized the moment. 

“Pete loves New York,” Nimmo said. “He loves the Mets fan base. And I am just glad he’s putting on a show for them.” 

The Mets (4-3) got what they needed from Tylor Megill, who fired 5 ¹/₃ scoreless innings in which he allowed two hits and three walks and struck out four.


  Tylor Megill had a strong start for the Mets. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Tylor Megill had a strong start for the Mets. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

The right-hander has pitched to a 0.87 ERA over his two starts this season, both Mets victories. 

Megill’s only whiff of trouble early occurred in the second, when he surrendered a two-out triple to George Springer before walking Will Wagner and retiring Ernie Clement for the third out. 

Megill retired eight straight batters before walking Vladimir Guererro Jr. and Anthony Santander in succession in the sixth.


  Juan Soto hit an RBI double for his first Citi Field hit. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Juan Soto hit an RBI double for his first Citi Field hit. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

Reed Garrett replaced Megill and struck out Andrés Giménez and Alejandro Kirk to escape the inning. 

The Mets scored three runs in the bottom of the inning to open a 5-0 lead. 

Juan Soto delivered an RBI double for his first hit at Citi Field in a Mets uniform as part of the rally.


  Juan Soto celebrates his double. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Juan Soto celebrates his double. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

Nimmo also stroked an RBI double and Starling Marte’s sacrifice fly brought in the inning’s third run.

Lindor’s walk sparked the inning. Alonso was intentionally walked after Soto’s double. 

“I think it’s great to have a guy behind you when he’s swinging the bat well and when he’s hot, he’s really good protection,” Soto said. “He gave me a chance to see more pitches that are in the strike zone and try to do more damage. Everybody knows that I can control the strike zone, but sometimes at-bats get longer when they are running away from it. But when you have a guy like Pete I think it’s great protection.” 


  Reed Garrett got the Mets out of the jam in the middle innings. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Reed Garrett got the Mets out of the jam in the middle innings. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

A.J. Minter and Max Kranick combined to work the final three innings scoreless.

The right-hander Kranick pitched the eighth and ninth in a third straight strong performance to start the season. 

The Mets couldn’t have asked for more in a home opener. 

“When you think about Opening Day, I think this was super picturesque,” Alonso said. “I don’t think it could have gone any better. The rain held off, it was a super comfortable temperature and people were super stoked. The energy was super high the entire day at the ballpark and also a Mets ‘W’ — you couldn’t write up a better start for a home opener.”

Comments
anonymous profile image
Powered by RoundtableBuilt on infrastructure designed for real-time media. Learn more at RTB.io.© Roundtable 2026. By using this site you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy