CHICAGO (AP) — Pete Alonso and Jesse Winker hit back-to-back home runs in the first inning and the New York Mets defeated the White Sox 5-3 on Saturday night, Chicago losing its 106th game and tying a franchise record.
The Mets (72-64) won their third straight to move within two games of Atlanta for the final NL wild card. New York has won eight of 12 and is eight games above .500 for the first time this season.
“We’re in a good position and we’re going to make it happen day by day, one day at a time, one series at a time,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said.
The White Sox (31-106) lost their ninth straight loss to tie their record for most losses in a season, set in 1970. Chicago is 4-35 since the All-Star break and is on pace to break the modern record for most major league losses: 120, set by the 1962 Mets.
“We’ve had a lot of things go against us,” White Sox interim manager Grady Sizemore said. “We need that break to get the morale up in that locker room.”
Alonso’s two-run drive off Davis Martin was his 30th home run, giving him 30 or more in five of his six major league seasons, all with the Mets. The four-time All-Star finished with 16 in 57 games during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
The 29-year-old Alonso is third on the Mets’ career homers list with 222 and has gone deep three times in the last five games. He added a single and scored twice in the game.
Winker has enjoyed his arrival from Washington, where he joined Alonso in the New York squad.
“Electric. What a hitter,” Winker said. “So much power. It was really fun.”
Winker had three hits for the second straight game and two RBIs. He has eight hits in his last 11 at-bats after going 3-for-3 on Saturday.
“I’m just trying to get the ball on the ball and keep it simple and hit it hard somewhere,” Winker said. “It’s the best time of the year. I’m definitely excited about it and I think our chances are pretty good.”
Andrew Benintendi had two hits for Chicago, and Gavin Sheets, Miguel Vargas and Corey Julks drove in runs.
Mets starter Jose Quintana (7-9) allowed two runs — one earned — and six hits in five innings to win for the first time since July 29. The left-handed pitcher struggled at times, walking three and striking out six before reaching 98 pitches and being relieved in the sixth by Huascar Brazobán.
“He had to fight today, but he found a way to give us five points,” Mendoza said.
Brobazán, Ryne Stanek and Phil Maton combined for three hitless innings out of the Mets’ bullpen. José Buttó worked a shaky ninth in place of closer Edwin Díaz, who was rested after pitching the previous three days.
Buttó gave up a double to Vargas and singles to Jacob Amaya and Luis Robert Jr. while giving up a run. With two runners on board, the right-hander retired Benintendi on a comebacker for his third save.
“They don’t give up. They don’t give up,” Sizemore said of his team. “But it would be nice to get some of those balls to fall, to get some bleeders or something.”
Martin (0-3) allowed four runs and five hits in five innings, striking out six and hitting one.
Alonso hit the first pitch he saw from Martin, a high slider, into the left-center stands for a quick 2-0 lead. Winker followed with his 13th homer, to right-center, as the Mets went back-to-back for the fifth time this season.
The White Sox cut the lead to 3-1 in the second inning on an RBI groundout by Vargas.
Winker drove in a run in the third inning to make it 4-1. Sheets’ RBI single cut the lead to 4-2 in the bottom half.
Starling Marte drove in a run off Gus Varland in the New York sixth. Julks’ groundout drove in a run in the ninth.
ADDITIONS
The Mets will add LHP Alex Young when MLB rosters expand to 28 players on Sunday. Mendoza said the team was still in the process of determining an additional position player.
RHP Jairo Iriarte and OF Zach DeLoach joined the White Sox as taxi squad players on Saturday, indicating they could be added to the roster on Sunday.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Mets: RHP Paul Blackburn (right hand contusion) is expected to make a rehab start Tuesday at Triple-A Syracuse.
NEXT
Mets LHP Sean Manaea (10-5, 3.51 ERA) will look for his fourth straight win on Sunday when he takes on White Sox LHP Garrett Crochet (6-9, 3.64).
