Mets score double-digit runs in 3 straight games for first time in 63-season history

NEW YORK (AP) — Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo and the 2024 New York Mets accomplished what the Darryl Strawberry teams of the 1980s and all their other predecessors failed to: score double-digit runs in three straight games.

Alonso, Nimmo, Mark Vientos and Francisco Alvarez homered in a 10-6 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday night that followed 10-1 and 10-0 routs of the Washington Nationals.

It was the 9,963rd regular-season game in the 63-season history of the Mets, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

“Sick,” Alonso said.

A franchise whose success was dependent on the pitching prowess of Tom Seaver, Dwight Gooden and Jacob deGrom finds itself fourth in the major leagues with 740 runs — one more than the Phillies.

“It’s pretty amazing that the Mets have played over 10,000 games and we’re the first ones to do this,” Nimmo said, rounding up. “That’s pretty special.”

New York won its fourth straight game and for the 16th time in its last 20, maintaining a two-game lead over Atlanta for the NL’s final wild-card position and improving to 61-33 following a 24-35 start.

And they're doing this without star shortstop Francisco Lindor, who hasn't played since Sunday because of a sore back.

“We know we’re good,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “We're capable of having games like that.”

Vientos and Alonso built a 2-0 lead with first-inning homers against Taijuan Walker, who gave up a career-high four long balls.

After Trea Turner's two-run homer off Luis Severino tied the score in the third, Nimmo hit a two-run homer in the bottom half and Alvarez had a three-run drive in a five-run fourth off that clanked of the plexiglass of the second-deck restaurant in left. Nimmo added an RBI double and scored on Vientos’ single.

Rookie Luisangel Acuña, a brother of Atlanta star Ronald Acuña Jr., drove in the 10th run with an RBI triple in the seventh off José Alvarado.

“We’ve had that trust and belief in each other all year and I think now it’s just coming into fruition, coming to light a little bit more," Alonso said.

Mets home attendance was hurt by the summer 2023 selloff of Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander and this season's slow start, down by about 300,000 from last year.

“When Citi’s a vibe and a fun place to play, we totally feed off that,” Alonso said.

After Wednesday's win, Nimmo implored people to fill Citi Field.

“Mets fans, we need you guys to fill this place up!” he said shouted in an on-field interview heard throughout the ballpark. “This place needs to be rockin' on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday! We need your help! We need everybody to get out here! We need this place full! This is playoff baseball. This is what you guys want. Let's go! Let's go Mets!"

A crowd of 35,982 showed up, the most at Citi Field since a Subway Series game against the Yankees in late June.

“It was great energy and a playoff-type atmosphere. Very thankful for that,” Nimmo said. “We need more of it as we go down this stretch and into this weekend. We fed off of it.”

Just three home games remain before a trip to Atlanta and Milwaukee that closes the regular season.

“The more positive energy and the more people that are creating that hostile environment for the road team. I think that just helps us play play better,” Alonso said. “It’s infectious.”

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

New York Mets' Edwin Díaz pitches during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Mets' Francisco Alvarez celebrates with teammates after hitting a three-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Mets' Francisco Alvarez celebrates with teammates after hitting a three-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Mets' Luisangel Acuña grounds into a force out during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in New York. Acuña was safe at first base on the play. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Mets' Luisangel Acuña, center, celebrates with teammates after a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Mets' Brandon Nimmo (9) gestures to teammates after hitting an RBI double during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

HOUSTON (AP) — Jon Singleton’s tiebreaking two-run double with two outs in the eighth inning lifted the Houston Astros to a 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday night.

The game was tied 1-1 when Ryan Miller (0-1) walked Yordan Alvarez and Kyle Tucker to start the eighth. A fielder's-choice grounder by Yainer Diaz sent Alvarez to third.

Jeremy Peña grounded out on a ball that rolled just in front of the batter’s box before the Angels intentionally walked Victor Caratini to load the bases.

Singleton then smacked his two-strike double, a line drive to center field to score Alvarez and Diaz.

“It means a lot,” Singleton said. “Any time you get a chance like that to come through for the ballclub, it feels good.”

Houston’s magic number to clinch the AL West dropped to five.

Yusei Kikuchi allowed five hits and a run while striking out nine in six innings as the Astros improved to 9-0 in his nine starts since a trade from Toronto on July 29.

“He throws strikes, he’s a competitor,” manager Joe Espada said. “The guys love playing behind him. We expect to win every single time he’s on the mound. When he goes on the mound just his attitude, the energy, you feel it.”

He is 5-0 with a 3.00 ERA and .189 opponent batting average with 68 strikeouts since coming to Houston.

“As soon as I got traded, my mindset was I’m going to win every game for this ballclub every time I’m out there on the mound,” Kikuchi said through an interpreter. “So it seems like it’s working out right now.”

Taylor Ward hit a leadoff homer for the Angels, who went 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position to snap a two-game winning streak.

Zach Neto doubled with one out in the eighth and he advanced to third on a groundout by Nolan Schanuel. But Bryan Abreu (3-3) retired Brandon Drury on a grounder.

Josh Hader pitched a scoreless ninth for his 32nd save.

Ward hit his fifth leadoff homer in the last 19 games. It was his 25th homer of the season, making him the ninth left fielder in franchise history with at least 25 and the first since 2018.

Kikuchi walked Schanuel with one out before a single by Drury. But Kikuchi struck out the next two batters.

The Astros had just one hit when Diaz reached on Eric Wagaman’s third error of the game to start the fourth. A single by Peña sent him to third and the Astros tied it when he scored on a single by Caratini.

José Suarez permitted three hits and a run with five strikeouts in five innings in his second start this season after spending most of the year in the bullpen.

“He battled,” manager Ron Washington said. “He and Kukuchi went head-to-head and he hung in there and gave us what we needed.”

TRAINER'S ROOM

Angels: OF Mickey Moniak missed a fourth straight game with a bruised left hand after he was hit by a pitch Sunday.

UP NEXT

Houston RHP Justin Verlander (4-6, 5.20 ERA) opposes LHP Tyler Anderson (10-13, 3.60) when the series continues Friday night.

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

Houston Astros starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher José Suarez delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña fields an infield single hit by Los Angeles Angels' Jordyn Adams during the fourth inning of a baseball game Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Los Angeles Angels third baseman Eric Wagaman reacts after committing a fielding error on a ground ball hit by Houston Astros' Yainer Diaz during the fourth inning of a baseball game Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Houston Astros' Victor Caratini hits an RBI single during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Houston Astros' Jon Singleton hits a two-run double during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)