SAN FRANCISCO — Pete Alonso’s day off was less eventful than Ferris Bueller’s, but created about as much havoc.
The Mets first baseman, who arrived in a slump and was deemed in need of rest, spent the first five innings on the bench Saturday before entering as a pinch-hitter in the sixth. And with a mighty swing he returned to the bench, having sent the Mets toward a runaway win over the Giants.
Alonso’s three-run homer was the Mets’ loudest hit in an 11-4 victory at Oracle Park that snapped their two-game skid.
Dominic Smith and Jeff McNeil also homered, allowing right-hander Walker Lockett to win his first game with the Mets, who were ensured a winning road trip with the victory. Smith finished with three hits and four RBIs.
The scoring outburst was welcomed by the Mets (45-53) after two straight extra-inning losses in which they played a combined 26 innings and scored only two runs.
Alonso entered in a 3-for-30 (.100) slump with two homers and 13 strikeouts, prompting manager Mickey Callaway to surmise he was tired following a return from the All-Star break that included his participation in the Home Run Derby and All-Star Game.
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Alonso was given the day off from the starting lineup, but with two runners aboard and two outs in the sixth, he pinch hit for Lockett and delivered his 33rd homer of the season, extending the Mets’ lead to seven runs. Alonso boosted his RBI total to 75, which broke the franchise rookie record established by Darryl Strawberry in 1983.
Todd Frazier gave the Mets a four-run cushion with the Mets’ second homer of the game, a solo blast in the sixth against Derek Holland. In the fourth, Frazier tripled and scored on Smith’s ensuing single.
Lockett was strong into the fifth, when Joe Panik delivered a pinch-hit RBI single that pulled the Giants within 4-1. Lockett surrendered another hit in the inning, but following a visit from pitching coach Phil Regan, retired Buster Posey to end the inning. Kevin Pillar was plunked by a pitch to start the rally. Lockett, replacing injured Zack Wheeler in the rotation, lasted five innings and allowed one earned run on five hits with three strikeouts.
McNeil swatted a two-run homer in the fifth to give the Mets a 4-0 lead. After Amed Rosario singled leading off and stole second, McNeil lofted an 0-2 pitch from Jeff Samardzija off the right-field foul pole for his ninth homer of the season.
Smith homered leading off the second to give the Mets their first run. Saturday was something of a redemption day for Smith, who a night earlier dropped a pop up in left field in the 10th inning that allowed the Giants to score the winning run.
The Mets will try for a split in the four-game series on Sunday, when Steven Matz is set to take the mound. So far the Mets are 5-3 on the road trip, having won series in Miami and Minnesota.
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