CHICAGO — Pete Alonso is moving fast toward multiple rookie records.
By blasting his 26th homer in Saturday’s first inning, the Mets first baseman tied Darryl Strawberry’s franchise rookie record for homers in a season. Alonso also broke Cody Bellinger’s NL rookie record for homers before the All-Star break. Bellinger hit 25 before the break in 2017.
The MLB record for rookie homers before the All-Star break is 33, set by Mark McGwire in 1987. The Mets still have 13 games remaining before the break.
“I’m playing well, I’m really happy with myself, but I just need to keep plugging along and do the best I can every single day,” Alonso said after the Mets beat the Cubs, 10-2, at Wrigley Field.
Aaron Judge hit 52 homers in 2017 to set a MLB single-season record for rookies. Alonso guessed that correctly when asked if he knew the record.
Alonso also knows the Mets single-season homer record is 41. Who shares that record?
“I know Mike Piazza isn’t one of them,” Alonso said. “Is it [Carlos] Delgado?”
Answers: Todd Hundley and Carlos Beltran.
Wilmer Font’s emergence as a trusted Mets bullpen option was reason enough for Callaway to forgo the right-hander in setting his rotation for this week.
In need of a starter for Tuesday in Philadelphia, the Mets will again turn to Walker Lockett, who struggled in his debut for the club.
Font, who has pitched to a 0.69 ERA in seven relief appearances for the Mets, had been considered for the start.
Font pitched three innings of scoreless relief Thursday against the Cubs after Lockett was knocked out in the third.
Noah Syndergaard could be a possibility to rejoin the rotation Wednesday, when he is eligible for removal from the injured list. The right-hander, who is recovering from a strained right hamstring, threw a bullpen session and will be evaluated Sunday.
Jed Lowrie continues to participate in baseball activities in Port St. Lucie, with the hope of beginning a minor-league rehab assignment at some point. Callaway said Lowrie is receiving treatment on the left leg “from the hip all the way down to the knee.” Lowrie, who arrived on a two-year contract worth $20 million, opened the season on the IL and still hasn’t appeared in a game for the Mets.
The College World Series championship bracket will include a former Mets presence: Mike Baxter is an assistant coach at Vanderbilt, which faces Michigan. Baxter, a Queens native, is best remembered for the circus catch he made in Johan Santana’s no-hitter in 2012.
The Mets have partnered with DAZN to promote the network’s fights as well as the streaming service’s new baseball show “The Changeup.”
Through a new promotion, those who subscribe to DAZN through DAZN.com/Mets will receive two free tickets to an upcoming Mets game of their choosing (restrictions apply).