PHOENIX — You could say the New York Mets charmed the Snakes this week in Phoenix, but the Arizona Diamondbacks probably found nothing charming about getting swept.
The Mets hammered the Diamondbacks in the series finale en route to a 9-0 win over the National League West’s best team. Francisco Alvarez hit his third home run in as many games, Francisco Lindor had a five-hit game, Pete Alonso went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI and Carlos Carrasco went eight shutout innings to help the Mets (41-46) win their fifth straight. It marked the second time this season the Mets have won five consecutive games but the first time since April. They remain undefeated in the month of July (5-0).
Lindor became the second player in franchise history to hit two triples and a home run in the same game, with Joe Christopher doing August 18, 1964. He went 5-for-5 coming a double away from the cycle just two nights night after a bout with what the club thought was either food poisoning or a stomach bug. Lindor was so sick Tuesday night he had to receive IV fluids and the Mets waited until the last possible moment to put out Wednesday’s lineup to make sure he was able to play.
Whatever ailed him cleared up by the time he went to the plate for his first at-bat against right-hander Ryne Nelson. Batting from the left side, the switch-hitting Lindor got a fastball over the middle of the plate and pulled it down the line. Alonso then took a fastball high and inside and hit it into the Arizona bullpen to give the Mets a 2-0 lead in the first.
Carrasco (3-3) had a stellar outing, allowing only three hits and one walk while striking out four. He utilized his new slider grip to fool hitters and it worked.
The Mets beat up Nelson (5-5). Facing traffic on the bases in the second, the Mets forced him to use a lot of pitches. They jumped on him in the third, scoring five to end his night.
Lindor hit his second triple and Alonso, who came into the game marred in a two-week-long slump that saw him hit just .148 (9-for-61) over his last 16 games, drove him home with a base hit. Daniel Vogelbach doubled home Alonso. With two outs, Jeff McNeil doubled home Vogelbach. Then came Alvarez, still riding high from hitting a game-tying home run off Arizona closer Andrew Chafin one night prior. Nelson hung a slider and Alvarez hit over the fence to make it 7-0.
Alvarez continued his monster week at the plate with an RBI single in the fifth to give him three RBI on the day. He became the first Mets catcher since Anthony Recker to hit three home runs in three straight games and he tied Darryl Porter for the most home runs in an age-21 season or younger with No. 16.
But the Diamondbacks took offense to some of his theatrics and Jose Ruiz drilled him with a 97-mph fastball in the top of the sixth. The 21-year-old rookie had to be held back as he glared at Ruiz and walked to first base. The dugouts were warned but it didn’t matter. The benches cleared. The bullpens were emptied. No one did anything more than exchange some words and knowing glances, but it sent a message to Alvarez about the emotion that infield coach Joey Cora already warned him about one night prior.
Alvarez has been the best story for the Mets in a strange season. But it’s safe to say the Diamondbacks (50-38) aren’t fans.
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