Pete Alonso reserved his power for the All-Star Game.
After deciding to sit out of the Home Run Derby for the first time in his career, Alonso may have struck the decisive blow for the National League in Tuesday night’s Midsummer Classic in Atlanta.
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In the bottom of the sixth inning with the NL leading by two runs and runners, Alonso tagged an opposite-field home run off the Royals’ Kris Bubic as part of a four-run inning that built the NL’s advantage to 6-0.
In the process, Alonso turned the boos he had heard from the rival crowd earlier in the game during his introduction and first at-bat to cheers.
It was the first home run by a Mets player in the All-Star Game since 2006 when David Wright homered off the Tigers’ Kenny Rogers. Alonso has participated in the Home Run Derby five times, winning the title twice.
Alonso’s home run in the All-Star Game comes in the midst of his own pursuit of the Mets’ home run record. With 247 home runs, the Mets first baseman is five away from matching Darryl Strawberry’s club record.
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And Alonso’s All-Star Game power display could be a footnote in the season that he achieves that mark.
Despite participating in the All-Star Game five times, including Tuesday’s appearance, the home run was only Alonso’s second hit in seven at-bats. He also ripped a two-run single during his first appearance as a rookie in 2019.
Alonso entered the game in the bottom of the third inning and lined out in his first at-bat against the Mariners’ Bryan woo.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Mets: Pete Alonso tags three-run home run in All-Star Game