ATLANTA — In past years, Pete Alonso’s All-Star highlights have typically come during Monday’s Home Run Derby. This year, the Mets slugger put his power on display in the All-Star Game.
With the National League already holding a 2-0 lead, Alonso bashed a three-run home run against Royals left-hander Kris Bubic in the bottom of the sixth inning, putting the NL in firm control of the Midsummer Classic.
Alonso’s home run came on a 1-0 fastball from Bubic, which the first baseman launched a Statcast-projected 367 feet over the right-field fence. Alonso had entered the game as a defensive replacement for NL starter Freddie Freeman with one out in the top of the third, lining out to first base in his first at-bat.
“That was great. It’s an unbelievable environment here,” Alonso said during an interview with FOX after the home run. “Great job from the guys in front of me. [Fernando Tatis Jr.] had an unbelievable AB. [Brendan Donovan] hustling out a single there. Unbelievable baserunning from those guys. They set up the whole situation.”
The home run was only the second hit in eight career All-Star plate appearances for Alonso, who is taking part in his fifth All-Star Game, tied with Carlos Beltrán for the second most by a Mets position player. (David Wright, Mike Piazza and Darryl Strawberry all had seven.) His other hit came in his first All-Star Game in 2019 at Progressive Field, as he hit a two-run single against Cleveland’s Brad Hand.
This year marked the first time in his career that Alonso did not take part in the T-Mobile Home Run Derby, an event he won in both 2019 and 2021. Alonso is the all-time leader in home runs at the Derby with 207 in five appearances, but Tuesday night’s blast should rank up there for him when it comes to All-Star moments.
