Pete Alonso’s homecoming at Citi Field turned into a milestone night on Tuesday, as he launched the 300th home run of his career against his former club to help the Baltimore Orioles defeat the New York Mets 7-5 in extra innings.
The historic blast arrived in the ninth inning with Baltimore down 1-0. Alonso’s drive leveled the score and prompted a standing ovation from the Mets faithful, though New York starter Sean Manaea took issue with the home fans applauding a visiting player.
Alonso reaches 300 homers versus the Mets
Before signing with Baltimore this season, Alonso had spent his whole professional career with the Mets, making Tuesday just his second game at Citi Field in a visitor’s uniform. In Monday’s series opener, a 2-1 Orioles win, he went 0 for 3 with a walk.
The ex-Mets power hitter stepped to the plate in the ninth with one out and the bases empty. Right-hander Kodai Senga fired three straight offspeed offerings, and after Alonso watched the first two miss the zone, he crushed the third 414 feet for career homer No. 300.
With that swing, Alonso became the 171st player in major league history to join the 300-home-run club. For Baltimore, the greater significance was that it pulled the Orioles even before they eventually prevailed 7-5 in extra innings.
Orioles prevail as Mets fans applaud Alonso
Alonso’s achievement created an odd scene at Citi Field, where Mets supporters rose to honor their former star. The moment unfolded with New York already eliminated from playoff contention, while Baltimore was still fighting for an American League wild-card berth.
Manaea, who took the mound for New York, expressed deep respect and admiration for Alonso but admitted he was taken aback by how the home crowd reacted. He conceded that the 2026 Mets had fallen short of expectations while highlighting the effort being put in by the players in the clubhouse.
Alonso saw the moment differently, keeping his focus on his present team rather than his old one. He said the history he has at Citi Field meant less to him than helping Baltimore secure a win, and he called 300 a pleasant round number.
The Orioles’ win lifted them to 74-78 and kept them alive in the hunt for the third and final American League wild-card spot. Alonso’s ninth-inning homer loomed large as Baltimore finished off the comeback in extra innings.
Orioles star keeps up strong campaign
The homer was Alonso’s 36th of the year, and he came into the game with a .267/.362/.499 slash line. He has also played in all 152 games for Baltimore and tops the American League with 101 RBIs.
Alonso inked a five-year free-agent deal with the Orioles after the Mets and executive David Stearns declined to pursue a reunion last winter. Heading into Tuesday’s contest, Alonso had posted 4.1 WAR on the season.
His return to Citi Field thus delivered a landmark moment against the franchise where he spent his entire professional career. The 300th homer also lifted Baltimore to a victory that preserved its postseason aspirations.