Pete Alonso passes David Wright on the Mets' all-time HR list, but the Nationals spoil the night with a 5-4 win on June 11, 2025. A bittersweet record.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Some nights at the ballpark are a roller coaster, and Wednesday was a prime example. One moment, 40,000 fans at Citi Field were roaring as Pete Alonso launched a historic home run, etching his name ever higher in Mets lore. The next, a stunned silence fell as the Washington Nationals staged a late comeback, snatching a 5-4 victory and reminding everyone just how cruel this game can be.
It’s an honor to be mentioned with Mets legends, but I’m focused on helping the team win.
The undisputed highlight of the night came off the bat of Pete Alonso. His 21st homer of the season was his 243rd as a Met, pushing him past the captain, David Wright, for sole possession of second place on the franchise's all-time list. The blast was a no-doubter, a classic Polar Bear laser into the stands. Now, only one name remains above him: Darryl Strawberry and his 252 home runs. It’s no longer a question of if, but when, Alonso will claim the top spot. Despite the personal achievement, Alonso kept his focus squarely on the team's ultimate goal.
Alonso's homer helped give the Mets an early 3-2 lead, and for a while, it felt like it would be enough. Kodai Senga was masterful, delivering six strong innings with seven strikeouts while allowing just two runs. He handed the ball to the bullpen with the lead intact. Unfortunately, the Nats chipped away, tying the game before a go-ahead homer in the top of the eighth inning. Edwin Díaz entered in the ninth and surrendered the decisive run, ultimately taking the tough-luck loss. It was a frustrating end to a game that felt well within their grasp.
While any loss to a division rival stings, let's take a step back. This one loss doesn't erase what has been a fantastic month of baseball. The Mets are still a stellar 6-3 in June with a dominant +23 run differential. Their overall run differential of +88 on the season speaks to a team that is consistently outplaying its opponents. One tight game doesn't change the fact that this team is one of the hottest in the league right now.
A loss like this often highlights areas for improvement, and the front office is surely taking notice. Down in Triple-A, Frankie Montas continued his rehab from a lat injury. While he gave up a couple of long balls, the key takeaway is that his pitch count is increasing, moving him one step closer to rejoining the big-league rotation. His return will be a boost, but with a farm system brimming with talent like Ronny Mauricio and others, the Mets are in a prime position to be aggressive at the trade deadline. Speculation is mounting that they could package prospects to acquire a key piece—perhaps another bullpen arm—for the stretch run.
So yes, the loss hurts. But tonight was also a celebration of greatness, a reminder of Pete Alonso's place in Mets history. With the team still playing its best baseball of the season, reinforcements like Montas on the way, and the potential for a major trade deadline splash, the outlook in Queens remains incredibly bright. Shake this one off, and get ready for the next one. This team is built for the long haul.
