Mets’ top of the order breaks through in win over Giants



The top of the Mets’ order is back on top.

Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo and Francisco Lindor all came through in the Mets’ 12-6 win over the San Francisco Giants at Citi Field on Saturday, helping to snap a four-game losing streak.

Alonso clubbed the 250th home run of his career, while Nimmo recorded three RBI and Lindor drove in four runs.

The offensive eruption followed an 18-game stretch in which Alonso went 6-for-63 (.095); Lindor went 14-for-78 (.179); and Nimmo went 17-for-69 (.246).

Alonso got the scoring started with a three-run home run against Giants starter Kai-Wei Teng in the first inning, putting the Mets up, 3-0.

The 428-foot blast left Alonso two home runs away from tying — and three away from passing — Darryl Strawberry for the Mets’ all-time record.

Mets ace Kodai Senga quickly relinquished the lead, allowing four runs over the next three innings, as the Giants pulled ahead, 4-3.

But the Mets answered in the bottom of the fourth when Nimmo struck a game-tying RBI single. Lindor followed with an RBI single on a push bunt, giving the Mets a 5-4 lead.

Nimmo and Lindor added an RBI single apiece in the sixth.

They capped their big days in the seventh when Nimmo struck yet another RBI single and Lindor delivered a two-run double.

Both went 3-for-4, while Alonso finished 2-for-4.

Saturday marked the second game in a row that Alonso homered. His solo shot in Friday night’s 4-3 loss to the Giants snapped an 0-for-19 skid.

Juan Soto — who bats between Lindor and Alonso — went 1-for-5 on Saturday. He has nine hits in his last 64 at-bats (.141).

Senga lasted only four innings Saturday and allowed four runs on five hits and three walks.

Since coming off the injured list for a hamstring strain last month, Senga has pitched to a 6.19 ERA over four starts. The right-hander had a 1.47 ERA in his first 13 starts.

But the Mets’ new-look bullpen picked Senga up.

Reed Garrett, Gregory Soto, Taylor Rogers — in his team debut — and Brooks Raley combined to throw four scoreless innings. Ryan Helsley was warming up to pitch the eighth, but after the Mets rallied with a four-run seventh, he sat down in the bullpen.

Giants shortstop Willy Adames tagged Rico Garcia for a two-run homer in the ninth, when the game was already well out of reach.

The game offered a glimpse of what the Mets envisioned when they revamped their bullpen before Thursday’s trade deadline with the acquisitions of Soto, Rogers and Helsley. That trio is expected to serve as a high-powered bridge to closer Edwin Diaz.

With the win, the Mets (63-48) pulled back into first place in the National League East. They hold a half-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies, who lost to the Detroit Tigers on Saturday.

The Mets go for a series victory on Sunday afternoon, with Frankie Montas (3-1, 5.46 ERA) set to start. Left-hander Carson Whisenhunt (0-0, 7.20 ERA) is scheduled to pitch for the Giants.

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