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Pete Alonso homers and newcomer Paul Blackburn strikes out 6 for Mets in 5-1 victory over Angels

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Pete Alonso homers and newcomer Paul Blackburn strikes out 6 for Mets in 5-1 victory over Angels
Sport

Sport

Pete Alonso homers and newcomer Paul Blackburn strikes out 6 for Mets in 5-1 victory over Angels

2024-08-03 13:15 Last Updated At:13:20

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Pete Alonso homered for the third time in five games and Paul Blackburn allowed only one run in his Mets debut as New York beat the Los Angeles Angels 5-1 on Friday night.

Brandon Nimmo went 3 for 5 as everyone in the Mets' lineup had at least one hit. New York has won three of four.

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New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, center, celebrates with third baseman Mark Vientos, left, and second baseman Jose Iglesias, right, after the final out of the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, center, celebrates with third baseman Mark Vientos, left, and second baseman Jose Iglesias, right, after the final out of the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, left, celebrates with third baseman Mark Vientos, after the final out of the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, left, celebrates with third baseman Mark Vientos, after the final out of the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

New York Mets' Harrison Bader celebrates after scoring off a single hit by J.D Martinez during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

New York Mets' Harrison Bader celebrates after scoring off a single hit by J.D Martinez during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Los Angeles Angels second baseman Luis Guillorme catches a popout from New York Mets' Francisco Alvarez during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Los Angeles Angels second baseman Luis Guillorme catches a popout from New York Mets' Francisco Alvarez during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Los Angeles Angels second baseman Luis Guillorme catches a popout from New York Mets' Francisco Alvarez during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Los Angeles Angels second baseman Luis Guillorme catches a popout from New York Mets' Francisco Alvarez during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Tyler Anderson throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Tyler Anderson throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout sits in the dugout during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout sits in the dugout during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

New York Mets' Pete Alonso, right, celebrates his two-run home run with Brandon Nimmo, who also scored, during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

New York Mets' Pete Alonso, right, celebrates his two-run home run with Brandon Nimmo, who also scored, during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, left, picks off Los Angeles Angels' Jo Adell who was trying to steal second base during the second inning of a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, left, picks off Los Angeles Angels' Jo Adell who was trying to steal second base during the second inning of a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

New York Mets' Pete Alonso, right, celebrates his two-run home run with Brandon Nimmo, who also scored, during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

New York Mets' Pete Alonso, right, celebrates his two-run home run with Brandon Nimmo, who also scored, during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

New York Mets starting pitcher Paul Blackburn throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

New York Mets starting pitcher Paul Blackburn throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

New York Mets' Pete Alonso tosses his bat after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

New York Mets' Pete Alonso tosses his bat after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Blackburn (5-2), acquired by the Mets from Oakland on Monday, defeated the Angels for the second time in eight days. The right-hander went six innings and allowed one run on six hits and struck out six.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza was pleased with Blackburn's outing, especially with the way he was able to mix all his pitches.

“Honestly, I came in today, saw him and told him to be himself and I would talk to him after the game,” Mendoza said.

Blackburn reported to the Mets on Thursday, but didn't begin to meet most of his new teammates until before Friday's game.

Blackburn said the pregame meeting and working with catcher with Francisco Alvarez went better than expected.

“The preparation on his end, constant communication between innings was fun to watch. For the first time out, couldn't have gone better with us,” Blackburn said. "It's been crazy but I'm here to do the job. ... We got the win, that’s all I’m here for really. That’s all I care about”

Nolan Schanuel had two hits and extended his hitting streak to seven games for the Angels, who have dropped six of eight during their homestand. Jo Adell had an RBI single in the second.

“I think we took him for granted," Angels manager Ron Washington said about facing Blackburn. “Tried to do too much with him and took too many big swings instead of trying to keep the line moving. When you have a young offense, that’s what happens.”

With one out in the third inning and Nimmo on first base, Alonso drove a first-pitch cutter from Tyler Anderson (8-10) into the left field stands to give the Mets a 3-1 lead. Alonso is tied for fifth in the National League with 23 homers.

“I felt pretty good at the dish for a long time now. I’m just happy that the balls and line drives are starting to carry over the fence," Alonso said.

Anderson gave up three runs on eight hits in five innings.

The Mets opened the scoring in the second, when Francisco Alvarez's base hit to left-center drove in Jose Iglesias, who led off the inning with a double.

The Angels evened it in the home half when three straight batters reached base. Adell lined a ball that went off Mets third baseman Mark Vientos and into left field as Mickey Moniak scored from second base.

The Mets added a pair in the sixth. J.D. Martinez had an RBI base hit and Francisco Lindor scored when Angels shortstop Zach Neto mishandled Vientos' grounder for an error.

WEB GEM

Angels second baseman Luis Guillorme made a diving catch in shallow right field to rob Francisco Alvarez in the fifth inning. Guillorme ran 94 feet to make the play, according to MLB Statcast. Ironically, Guillmore was drafted in the 10th round by the Mets in 2013.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Mets: OF Starling Marte (right knee bone bruise) did some running in the outfield. He will head to the team's spring training complex in Florida on Monday to continue his rehab.

Angels: 3B Luis Rengifo came out after four innings due to irritation to his right wrist. It is the same wrist that caused him to miss 15 games in July.

UP NEXT

Mets LHP David Peterson (5-1, 3.52 ERA) looks to bounce back after suffering his first loss of the season last Sunday at Atlanta. Angels RHP José Soriano (6-7, 3.69 ERA) went 2-2 in five starts during July.

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

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, center, celebrates with third baseman Mark Vientos, left, and second baseman Jose Iglesias, right, after the final out of the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, center, celebrates with third baseman Mark Vientos, left, and second baseman Jose Iglesias, right, after the final out of the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, left, celebrates with third baseman Mark Vientos, after the final out of the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, left, celebrates with third baseman Mark Vientos, after the final out of the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

New York Mets' Harrison Bader celebrates after scoring off a single hit by J.D Martinez during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

New York Mets' Harrison Bader celebrates after scoring off a single hit by J.D Martinez during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Los Angeles Angels second baseman Luis Guillorme catches a popout from New York Mets' Francisco Alvarez during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Los Angeles Angels second baseman Luis Guillorme catches a popout from New York Mets' Francisco Alvarez during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Los Angeles Angels second baseman Luis Guillorme catches a popout from New York Mets' Francisco Alvarez during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Los Angeles Angels second baseman Luis Guillorme catches a popout from New York Mets' Francisco Alvarez during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Tyler Anderson throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Tyler Anderson throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout sits in the dugout during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout sits in the dugout during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

New York Mets' Pete Alonso, right, celebrates his two-run home run with Brandon Nimmo, who also scored, during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

New York Mets' Pete Alonso, right, celebrates his two-run home run with Brandon Nimmo, who also scored, during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, left, picks off Los Angeles Angels' Jo Adell who was trying to steal second base during the second inning of a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, left, picks off Los Angeles Angels' Jo Adell who was trying to steal second base during the second inning of a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

New York Mets' Pete Alonso, right, celebrates his two-run home run with Brandon Nimmo, who also scored, during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

New York Mets' Pete Alonso, right, celebrates his two-run home run with Brandon Nimmo, who also scored, during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

New York Mets starting pitcher Paul Blackburn throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

New York Mets starting pitcher Paul Blackburn throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

New York Mets' Pete Alonso tosses his bat after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

New York Mets' Pete Alonso tosses his bat after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The screw holding the net in place at the Australian Open's main stadium got jarred loose during defending champion Jannik Sinner's fourth-round match against Holger Rune on Monday, delaying play for about 20 minutes early in the fourth set.

The No. 1-ranked Sinner, who is the defending champion at Melbourne Park, hit one of his booming serves into the net, shaking it. That managed to inadvertently undo the metal piece that hooks into the bottom of the black webbing that separates players on a tennis court, then is rotated to screw into the blue-painted surface.

That left the net loose, so play could not continue. At least a half-dozen people went over to take a look at things and attempt to re-connect the equipment. Eventually, a worker with a red tool box was able to fix it, earning a cheer from thousands of spectators at Rod Laver Arena.

In the meantime, chair umpire Nico Helwerth sent both Sinner and Rune off to the locker room so they did not need to sit on the sideline in the afternoon heat that topped 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 Celsius).

“Ladies and gentlemen, as you can see, we are trying to fix the net as quick as possible,” Helwerth announced to the crowd. “It's probably going to take a few minutes. Thank you for your patience.”

Each player already had taken a medical timeout during the match. Sinner was leading 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 0-1 when action was halted.

As Sinner and the 13th-seeded Rune, a 21-year-old from Denmark, walked back out on the court to return to the contest, fans applauded.

The players were then allowed to warm up for three minutes before Sinner got things started again with a serve.

Holger Rune of Denmark plays a backhand return to Jannik Sinner of Italy during their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Holger Rune of Denmark plays a backhand return to Jannik Sinner of Italy during their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Staff work on repairing the net during the fourth round match between Jannik Sinner of Italy and Holger Rune of Denmark at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

Staff work on repairing the net during the fourth round match between Jannik Sinner of Italy and Holger Rune of Denmark at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

Jannik Sinner of Italy talks with his coaching staff as repairs are made too the net during his fourth round match against Holger Rune of Denmark at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

Jannik Sinner of Italy talks with his coaching staff as repairs are made too the net during his fourth round match against Holger Rune of Denmark at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

Staff work on repair the net during the fourth round match between Jannik Sinner of Italy and Holger Rune of Denmark at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

Staff work on repair the net during the fourth round match between Jannik Sinner of Italy and Holger Rune of Denmark at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

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