McNeil snaps home run drought, Mets move over .500 by beating Astros

NEW YORK (AP) — Pete Alonso and Jeff McNeil homered in the sixth inning Friday night, powering the New York Mets to a 7-2 win over the Houston Astros and moving them over .500 for the first time since May 2.

The Mets have gone 18-6 since May 30 — the day after players held a team meeting following a 10-3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers — to improve to 40-39.

Alonso snapped a 2-2 tie with a one-out homer off Astros starter Ronel Blanco (8-3) — his first round-tripper since June 19 and only his third since June 5.

McNeil capped the outburst by ending an even longer power drought with a 346-foot, three-run homer just beyond the right field fence. The second baseman was 12 for 83 (.145) since his previous homer against Cleveland on May 22.

McNeil finished 3 for 4 in his first three-hit game since May 7.

Tyrone Taylor homered, Francisco Lindor had a run-scoring double and Francisco Alvarez added a sacrifice fly for the Mets.

Dedniel Nuñez (2-0) allowed three hits in two innings of relief to get the win after Jose Quintana surrendered two runs in four-plus innings.

Jose Altuve hit his 39th career leadoff homer for the Astros, who fell to 40-41 in their attempt to move over .500 for the first time this season. Jeremy Peña had an RBI single in the third, half an inning after he misplayed a pop-up while conducting an in-game broadcast interview.

Yordan Alvarez had three hits and a walk in five plate appearances.

Blanco gave up six runs (three earned) in 5 2/3 innings.

Manager Joe Espada was ejected after Jake Meyers struck out looking in the seventh.

SING HIM AWAY

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza and players wore “OMG” shirts Friday, when infielder Jose Iglesias released his single of the same name. More than a dozen Mets joined Iglesias for his performance of the song — which has become the team’s victory anthem — at Citi Field on Thursday.

“I love it,” Mendoza said of the song. “He’s got a pretty good rhythm to it. It’s a good day for him and for all of us here.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Astros: RHP Luis Garcia (Tommy John surgery) began a rehab assignment Friday and needed just 12 pitches to toss a perfect inning for the rookie-level Florida Complex League Astros. Garcia, who underwent surgery on May 19, 2023, struck out two. ... OF Kyle Tucker (left shin) took 35 swings in the cage Friday. Tucker hasn’t played since fouling a ball off his shin June 3.

Mets: RHP Drew Smith (right elbow sprain) believes he’ll need either Tommy John surgery or an internal brace procedure after an MRI “showed some pretty significant damage.” Smith, who underwent Tommy John surgery in 2019, began feeling stiffness in his elbow during an appearance June 26 and had trouble getting loose Sunday night, when he got two ninth-inning outs against the Cubs before being pulled. ... RHP Kodai Senga (right shoulder) is slated to throw a bullpen session Sunday before beginning a rehab assignment next week.

UP NEXT

Mets RHP Tylor Megill (2-4, 4.81 ERA) opposes Astros LHP Framber Valdez (6-5, 3.68 ERA) on Saturday.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

New York Mets' Pete Alonso (20) celebrates with Tyrone Taylor (15), Francisco Lindor (12) and Brandon Nimmo (9) after a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Friday, June 28, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Mets' Jeff McNeil poses for photos after hitting a three-run home run against the Houston Astros during the sixth inning of a baseball game Friday, June 28, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Mets' Pete Alonso celebrates with teammates after hitting a home run against the Houston Astros during the sixth inning of a baseball game Friday, June 28, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Mets' Pete Alonso hits a home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Friday, June 28, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Mets' Jeff McNeil gestures as he runs the bases after hitting a three-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Friday, June 28, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Mets' Jeff McNeil (1) celebrates with Francisco Alvarez (4) and Mark Vientos (27) after they scored on a three-run home run by McNeil against the Houston Astros during the sixth inning of a baseball game Friday, June 28, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Mets pitcher Dedniel Núñez celebrates after an out during the seventh inning of the team's baseball game against the Houston Astros, Friday, June 28, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Fans watch a pyrotechnics display after a baseball game between the New York Mets and the Houston Astros, Friday, June 28, 2024, in New York. The Mets won 7-2. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Fans watch a pyrotechnics display after a baseball game between the New York Mets and the Houston Astros, Friday, June 28, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

WIMBLEDON, England (AP) — The 2024 edition of Wimbledon started on Monday, with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and past Grand Slam title winners Coco Gauff and Emma Raducanu all set to play matches at Centre Court.

Alcaraz just won his third major championship at the French Open three weeks ago.

He defeated Novak Djokovic in last year's final at Wimbledon. Alcaraz faces qualifier Mark Lajal of Estonia on Day 1 on the All England Club's grass courts.

Raducanu won the 2021 U.S. Open at age 18, but she has been dealing with various injuries since then. Her scheduled opponent — No. 22 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova — withdrew Monday morning because of illness. Alexandrova was replaced by Renata Zarazua, a so-called “lucky loser” from the qualifying tournament.

Gauff, who won the U.S. Open last September, closes out the day's schedule in the main stadium against Caroline Dolehide in an all-American matchup.

No. 1-ranked Jannik Sinner is also on Monday's schedule, playing Yannick Hanfmann at No. 1 Court.

AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

A stall holder prepares to sell hats outside the Wimbledon tennis centre ahead of the first round matches of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Monday, July 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Fans take a selfie ahead of play of the first round matches of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Monday, July 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

People sit outside at a coffee shop decorated with tennis raquets, in Southfields near the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London, Friday, June 28, 2024. The Wimbledon Championships begin on July 1. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Coco Gauff of the US during a training session at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club ahead of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Sunday, June 30, 2024. (John Walton/PA via AP)

Britain's Emma Raducanu wearing an England football shirt, during a session on the practice court at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London, Sunday, June 30, 2024. The Wimbledon Championships begin on July 1. (John Walton/PA via AP)

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz walks from the courts during a practice session ahead of their first round match of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Sunday, June 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz, centre and his team walk over rain covers, at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London, Sunday, June 30, 2024. The Wimbledon Championships begin on July 1. (John Walton/PA via AP)