Pete Alonso closing in on Mets home run record
DENVER — When he re-signed with the New York Mets last winter, Pete Alonso saw an opportunity to become the team's career leader in home runs and multi-homer games.
He checked one record off his list with a pair of two-run shots in a 13-5 victory over the Colorado Rockies — and the burly first baseman is closing in on the other.
Alonso's 23rd multi-homer game broke a tie with Darryl Strawberry for the most in Mets history. The four-time All-Star and two-time Home Run Derby champion now has 243 career homers, passing David Wright (242) for second place on the franchise list — nine behind Strawberry.
'Honestly, it's just one of those things where I can't really be too involved in it,' Alonso said. 'For me, I just want to win. Whatever happens, capitalize on certain pitches in the zone, then I'll get my chance to do so by helping my team win. That's always been the focus.'
Alonso hit two of New York's season-high six homers to help complete a 5-2 trip. He has six home runs and two multi-homer games in June after going deep just four times in 27 games in May. He went 5 for 14 during the weekend series and has raised his batting average from .288 to .301 over the last eight games.
'There's a lot to like about his bat right now,' manager Carlos Mendoza said. 'Just dominating pitches in the strike zone. That's who he is. We know that the power's always been there, but now we're looking at a really good hitter.'
Alonso wasn't the only Mets player with a banner day. Juan Soto had three hits and walked three times to reach base in all six plate appearances.
He became the first New York player to accomplish that feat since Alonso on Aug. 15, 2019, at Atlanta.
'It's not easy to do at the big league level,' Mendoza said. 'You get six times at the plate and you find a way to get on base. Finally getting results, but I feel the at-bat quality has been there.'
Alonso's path toward becoming the Mets' career home run leader began when he set the major league record for rookies with 53 in 2019. He has hit at least 34 homers in each of his five full big league seasons and is on pace for 41 this year.
'Pete's been pretty incredible this year. He's been locked in every single at-bat,' said teammate Jeff McNeil, who also hit two home runs. 'Seems like big situations he's going to do some damage.
'It's fun to watch and I feel like he's putting on a show every time he's at the ballpark.'
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NBC Sports
31 minutes ago
- NBC Sports
2025 WNBA Power Rankings (Week 4): Collier leads Lynx to 9-0 start; Fever find wins without Clark
We're almost a month into the WNBA season. While teams like the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx are tried and true, other teams like the Las Vegas Aces and Seattle Storm are still searching for consistency. With another week of WNBA action in the books, it's time to update power rankings. WNBA Power Rankings These rankings reflect where each WNBA team stands after week four of the 2025 season. Teams are ranked 1-13 and are grouped by tiers. Past Rankings: Preseason, Week 1, Week 2, Week 3 New York Liberty (8-0) | Prior Rank: 1 - The Liberty continued their win streak into week four after beating the Washington Mystics on Thursday. New York got the win, but Jonquel Jones rolled her right ankle in the first quarter and did not return to the game. It's been reported that Jones avoided significant injury, but it's unclear when she will return to play. The Liberty are a deep enough team that they should be able to manage without Jones for a few games if needed. The good news for the Liberty is that Nyara Sabally will likely be returning for their next game against the Chicago Sky on Tuesday. Sabally's return will be a boost, especially if Jonquel has to miss any time. Since New York refuses to lose a game, they will hold on to the top spot this week. Nyara Sabally is a full participant in Liberty practice today, looking set to return. No Jonquel Jones (ankle), but the team is relieved that she avoided significant injury. They'll practice again tomorrow before hosting the Sky on Tuesday, so more JJ updates to come. @Winsidr— Myles (@MylesEhrlich) June 8, 2025 New York Liberty (8-0) | Prior Rank: 1 - The Liberty continued their win streak into week four after beating the Washington Mystics on Thursday. New York got the win, but Jonquel Jones rolled her right ankle in the first quarter and did not return to the game. It's been reported that Jones avoided significant injury, but it's unclear when she will return to play. The Liberty are a deep enough team that they should be able to manage without Jones for a few games if needed. The good news for the Liberty is that Nyara Sabally will likely be returning for their next game against the Chicago Sky on Tuesday. Sabally's return will be a boost, especially if Jonquel has to miss any time. Since New York refuses to lose a game, they will hold on to the top spot this week. Nyara Sabally is a full participant in Liberty practice today, looking set to return. No Jonquel Jones (ankle), but the team is relieved that she avoided significant injury. They'll practice again tomorrow before hosting the Sky on Tuesday, so more JJ updates to come. @Winsidr Minnesota Lynx (9-0) | Prior Rank: 2 - The Lynx have the best record in the WNBA, and like the Liberty, are also undefeated. Napheesa Collier stuffed the stat sheet in their most recent win against the Dallas Wings on Sunday. Another game, another reminder that Napheesa Collier is built different! She showed out again in the @minnesotalynx's win vs. the Wings ⬇️ 28 PTS 10 REB 4 AST 4 STL 3 BLK 10-19 FG WNBA Commissioner's Cup presented by @coinbase WNBA (@WNBA) June 8, 2025 While the Lynx are first in the standings by virtue of playing one more game than the Liberty, the Lynx are currently second (behind the Liberty) in Offensive, Defensive and Net Rating. So, they will keep the No. 2 spot for this week. Minnesota Lynx (9-0) | Prior Rank: 2 - The Lynx have the best record in the WNBA, and like the Liberty, are also undefeated. Napheesa Collier stuffed the stat sheet in their most recent win against the Dallas Wings on Sunday. Another game, another reminder that Napheesa Collier is built different! She showed out again in the @minnesotalynx's win vs. the Wings ⬇️ 28 PTS 10 REB 4 AST 4 STL 3 BLK 10-19 FG WNBA Commissioner's Cup presented by @coinbase While the Lynx are first in the standings by virtue of playing one more game than the Liberty, the Lynx are currently second (behind the Liberty) in Offensive, Defensive and Net Rating. So, they will keep the No. 2 spot for this week. Phoenix Mercury (6-4) | Prior Rank: 3 - The Mercury land at No. 3 for the third week in a row. The Mercury have been without Kahleah Copper and Natasha Mack all season. They have also played their last five games without Alyssa Thomas. Despite being short-handed, the Mercury have maintained a winning record all season and their top four defense is a large reason why. For now, with a record two games above .500, the Mercury edge out the Atlanta Dream and Seattle Storm for third this week. Atlanta Dream (5-3) | Prior Rank: 4 - Atlanta will also keep their No. 4 spot this week. The Dream went 0-1 in week four. Their loss came at the hands of the Connecticut Sun, who they blew out earlier this season, but struggled against the second time around. The Sun are a rebuilding team with a 2-7 record. This was a bad loss for a Dream team that finally had its full roster available. Atlanta missed out on an opportunity to create some separation in the standings. Since the Dream beat Seattle in their head-to-head match up earlier this year, they will come in one spot higher at No. 4 Seattle Storm (5-4) | Prior Rank: 6 - The Storm are back to a winning record after losing three games in a row. They move up one spot this week after going 2-0 in week four. Their wins came against the Dallas Wings, who have the worst record in the league and the Mercury, who are still without the services of Alyssa Thomas. While the Storm have beaten the Mercury this season with Thomas playing, they also got blown out. A move to No. 5 this week is warranted by Seattle's recent play, but they need some better quality wins to move up higher in these power rankings. Las Vegas Aces (4-3) | Prior Rank: 5 - The Aces continue to play inconsistently and drop one spot to No. 6 this week. Like the Dream, Las Vegas only played one game last week and lost to the Golden State Valkyries. But it wasn't just any loss. The Aces had five days to prepare for the Valkyries and got blown out by 27 points. This is the second embarrassing loss of the season for the Aces, but it's also their third loss by double digits. It's unclear what to make of this Aces team, but they will get the sixth spot this week as they continue to work through their struggles. Indiana Fever (4-4) | Prior Rank: 8 - The Fever have rebounded well after dropping the first two games they had to play without Caitlin Clark, who is recovering from a left quad injury. It's only been a week since Indiana signed Aari McDonald via the league's emergency hardship exception, but it's already paying dividends for the Fever. Since the signing, the Fever have gone 2-0 and overall are 2-2 without Clark, who will be reevaluated ahead of the team's next game on Tuesday against the Atlanta Dream. Caitlin Clark gives an update on her injury: "I'll be re-evaluater after this weekend. Not gonna rush coming back, it's just not worth it but after this weekend we'll have a better idea of when I'll return" AK (@Sudharsan_AK10) June 5, 2025 The addition of Aari McDonald, while not a replacement for Clark, helps to alleviate the pressure of rushing Clark back. McDonald has been much needed help on both ends of the floor since Sophie Cunningham is also out due to a right ankle injury. Aari McDonald has been a key early pickup for her new squad, averaging (9.5) points, (3.5) assists, and (3.0) steals off the bench. Today, she recorded 12 points, 2 assists, and 3 steals in the Indiana Fever's 79–52 win over Chicago. The team is (2–0) since her arrival. ✨ I talk hoops 🏀 (@trendyhoopstars) June 8, 2025 The Fever have stopped the bleeding and are back to a .500 record, which warrants a bump to No. 7 in this week's rankings. Indiana Fever (4-4) | Prior Rank: 8 - The Fever have rebounded well after dropping the first two games they had to play without Caitlin Clark, who is recovering from a left quad injury. It's only been a week since Indiana signed Aari McDonald via the league's emergency hardship exception, but it's already paying dividends for the Fever. Since the signing, the Fever have gone 2-0 and overall are 2-2 without Clark, who will be reevaluated ahead of the team's next game on Tuesday against the Atlanta Dream. Caitlin Clark gives an update on her injury: "I'll be re-evaluater after this weekend. Not gonna rush coming back, it's just not worth it but after this weekend we'll have a better idea of when I'll return" The addition of Aari McDonald, while not a replacement for Clark, helps to alleviate the pressure of rushing Clark back. McDonald has been much needed help on both ends of the floor since Sophie Cunningham is also out due to a right ankle injury. Aari McDonald has been a key early pickup for her new squad, averaging (9.5) points, (3.5) assists, and (3.0) steals off the bench. Today, she recorded 12 points, 2 assists, and 3 steals in the Indiana Fever's 79–52 win over Chicago. The team is (2–0) since her arrival. ✨ The Fever have stopped the bleeding and are back to a .500 record, which warrants a bump to No. 7 in this week's rankings. Washington Mystics (4-6) | Prior Rank: 7 - The Mystics drop a spot this week to No. 8 after going 1-2 in week four. While there are no moral victories, the Mystics continue to show improvement. In their loss to the Liberty on Thursday, they had a much better showing in that game than just six days before when they played New York earlier in the season. Stef Dolson pulled the whole Mystics into the huddle after the buzzer sounded tonight. Jade Melbourne says Dolson said, "look at the growth from when we played New York last week. We were in that game." Tyler Byrum (@theTylerByrum) June 6, 2025 The Mystics' rookies, Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen, continue to impress. Both were part of the balanced scoring effort in Washington's 37-point win over the Connecticut Sun. It's no surprise that the May Rookie of the Month, Kiki Iriafen, was a team high +26. 🏀 @Kia Rookie of the Month 🏀 Kiki Iriafen averaged 13.9 PPG, 10.1 RPG, and 1.0 APG to earn May rookie of the month honors for the Washington Mystics!#KiaROTM | #WelcometotheW WNBA (@WNBA) June 4, 2025 The Mystics are going through some expected growing pains, but the growth is clear, which is why they continue to be in the mix and land at No. 8 this week. Washington Mystics (4-6) | Prior Rank: 7 - The Mystics drop a spot this week to No. 8 after going 1-2 in week four. While there are no moral victories, the Mystics continue to show improvement. In their loss to the Liberty on Thursday, they had a much better showing in that game than just six days before when they played New York earlier in the season. Stef Dolson pulled the whole Mystics into the huddle after the buzzer sounded tonight. Jade Melbourne says Dolson said, "look at the growth from when we played New York last week. We were in that game." The Mystics' rookies, Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen, continue to impress. Both were part of the balanced scoring effort in Washington's 37-point win over the Connecticut Sun. It's no surprise that the May Rookie of the Month, Kiki Iriafen, was a team high +26. 🏀 @Kia Rookie of the Month 🏀 Kiki Iriafen averaged 13.9 PPG, 10.1 RPG, and 1.0 APG to earn May rookie of the month honors for the Washington Mystics!#KiaROTM | #WelcometotheW The Mystics are going through some expected growing pains, but the growth is clear, which is why they continue to be in the mix and land at No. 8 this week. Golden State Valkyries (3-5) | Prior Rank: 10 - After a four-game losing streak, the Valkyries bounced back with a commanding win over the Las Vegas Aces on Saturday. In front of a sold out crowd, Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase and Kate Martin one-upped their former team with a decisive 27-point win. Full circle game for Coach Nat. ✨🪽 Golden State Valkyries (@valkyries) June 8, 2025 The Valkyries have proven to be a worthy opponent in most of their matchups this season. Even though the Valkyries beat the Mystics once this year in a close contest, the Mystics have a better Offensive, Defensive and Net Rating. So the Valkyries will come in at No. 9 this week, one spot below the Mystics. Golden State Valkyries (3-5) | Prior Rank: 10 - After a four-game losing streak, the Valkyries bounced back with a commanding win over the Las Vegas Aces on Saturday. In front of a sold out crowd, Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase and Kate Martin one-upped their former team with a decisive 27-point win. Full circle game for Coach Nat. ✨🪽 The Valkyries have proven to be a worthy opponent in most of their matchups this season. Even though the Valkyries beat the Mystics once this year in a close contest, the Mystics have a better Offensive, Defensive and Net Rating. So the Valkyries will come in at No. 9 this week, one spot below the Mystics. Los Angeles Sparks (3-6) | Prior Rank: 11 - The Sparks are another team that only played one game last week, but they secured a win over the Dallas Wings. The Sparks play again Monday night against the Valkyries. The teams split their first two meetings of the season. Time will tell if the Sparks will be able to string together a few wins in a row, but they did get a boost in their last game with Rickea Jackson's return to the lineup. Still three games under .500, the Sparks will land at No. 10 this week. Chicago Sky (2-5) | Prior Rank: 9 - The Chicago Sky fall two spots this week and their outlook is very murky at the moment. The Sky went into their game against the Fever on Saturday trying to extend their two-game winning streak and lost much more than the game. Courtney Vandersloot sustained a right knee injury during the first quarter and did not return to play. It was later determined that she suffered a season-ending ACL injury. For a Chicago Sky team that was already struggling, this is a crushing blow. It's unclear how Chicago will rebound from this loss. For now, they get the No. 11 spot this week. Connecticut Sun (2-7) | Prior Rank: 13 - The Sun move up one spot this week to No. 12 after going 1-1 in week four. Their second win of the season (and first home win) came over the Atlanta Dream. Marina Mabrey led the Sun with 34 points, but the team got contributions from multiple players on their roster to seal the win over Atlanta. While the Sun did go on to lose their game on Sunday by 37 points to the Mystics, their win over the Dream helped elevate them to No. 12 this week. Marina Mabrey took control with a game-high 34 points 😤 She guided the @ConnecticutSun to their first home win and Commissioner's Cup victory, finishing with 34 PTS, 4 REB, and 4 AST. This notches her 1st 30-point performance of the szn! WNBA (@WNBA) June 7, 2025 Connecticut Sun (2-7) | Prior Rank: 13 - The Sun move up one spot this week to No. 12 after going 1-1 in week four. Their second win of the season (and first home win) came over the Atlanta Dream. Marina Mabrey led the Sun with 34 points, but the team got contributions from multiple players on their roster to seal the win over Atlanta. While the Sun did go on to lose their game on Sunday by 37 points to the Mystics, their win over the Dream helped elevate them to No. 12 this week. Marina Mabrey took control with a game-high 34 points 😤 She guided the @ConnecticutSun to their first home win and Commissioner's Cup victory, finishing with 34 PTS, 4 REB, and 4 AST. This notches her 1st 30-point performance of the szn! Dallas Wings (1-9) | Prior Rank: 12 - The Dallas Wings are still searching for their second win of the season while they await the return of Paige Bueckers to the lineup. 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Braves' Smith-Shawver undergoes Tommy John surgery and Kimbrel elects free agency
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Fox Sports
38 minutes ago
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Braves' Smith-Shawver undergoes Tommy John surgery and Kimbrel elects free agency
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