Morning Briefing: Alonso Aiming For Home Run Derby Three-Peat

Good morning, Mets fans!

Pete Alonso announced that he’s officially entered the Home Run Derby, seeking to win the competition for the third time. Former Mets bench coach Dave Jauss will pitch to Alonso for the second year in a row. Jauss, who is currently an advisor for the Washington Nationals, asked Alonso for “two pots of coffee for before and a case of Bud Light for after.” Ken Griffey Jr. is currently the only player to have won the Home Run Derby three times.

Latest Mets News

Max Scherzer carved up the Braves’ offense and the Mets were able to get to Max Fried as they took the first game of their series at Truist Park, 4-1. Scherzer allowed just three hits and one run while striking out nine in seven innings of work, lowering his season ERA to 2.15. Pete Alonso and Luis Guillorme both drove in two runs, with Guillorme hitting his second homer of the year. Edwin Díaz, pitching for the third straight day, struck out the side on just 11 pitches, giving him 73 strikeouts in 36 1/3 innings on the year (18.1 K/9). David Peterson (5-1, 3.48 ERA) will look to bounce back from his rough start last time out, while the Braves will send 23-year-old fireballer Spencer Strider (4-2, 2.60 ERA) to the hill tonight. First pitch is scheduled for 7:20 PM.

Taijuan Walker has hired the Boras Corporation to represent him. Walker is set to hit the free-agent market after this season, and is having himself a strong season, setting himself up for pay raise should he keep it going.

Mets beat reporter Deesha Thosar announced she’s leaving the New York Daily News after this week. Thosar is joining FOX Sports, where she’ll be covering the Mets and Yankees, while also contributing to their broadcast platform.

Will Sammon, the newest Mets beat writer for The Athletic, writes about how much it means to him to be able to come home and cover his hometown team. Sammon also writes about why people are so amazed by Francisco Álvarez and how he’s risen through the minors so quickly.

Latest MLB News

Concession workers at Dodger Stadium voted 99 percent to authorize a strike just days ahead of the All-Star Game. The workers, who are employed by Levy Restaurants, want a fair union contract.

Rays shortstop Wander Franco will undergo surgery to repair his fractured right hamate bone. The 21-year-old is expected to miss five-to-eight weeks.

The Braves traded former top prospect Drew Waters, right-hander Andrew Hoffmann, and a third minor leaguer to the Royals in exchange for the 35th pick in Sunday’s draft. The pick has a slot value of $2.2 million.

Ronald Acuña Jr., Juan Soto, and Albert Pujols are joining Alonso in next week’s Home Run Derby. For Pujols, it will be his fifth and final derby appearance, while Acuña and Soto are both competing for the second time. Pujols was picked along with Miguel Cabrera as the commissioner’s selection for the All-Star Game.

Latest on MMO

Alexis Farinacci recaps the Mets’ series-opening win in Atlanta.

John Sheridan breaks down who performed well and who fell short during the Miami series in the latest edition of 3 Up, 3 Down.

Daniel M. analyzes how the Mets’ minor league affiliates performed on Sunday.

On This Date in Mets History

2007: In their first game of the second half, the Mets lead off with back-to-back homers from Jose Reyes and Ruben Gotay off Bronson Arroyo to get past the Reds, 3-2.

2008: Pedro Martinez, Carlos Muniz, Aaron Heilman, Scott Schoeneweis, and Billy Wagner combine to throw a one-hit shutout against the Rockies as the Mets win their eighth straight game. The win moves the Mets to within a half-game of first place.

2014: Daisuke Matsuzaka strikes out 10 batters, and the Mets rally late thanks to a two-run homer by Chris Young and an RBI single from Eric Campbell to down the Marlins, 5-4. Jenrry Mejia pitches a 1-2-3 ninth inning to seal the win.

2015: Kirk Nieuwenhuis hits three home runs as the Mets finish off a three-game sweep of the Diamondbacks with a 5-3 win. Nieuwenhuis becomes the first Met ever to have a three-homer game at the team’s home ballpark.

2021: Pete Alonso defends his Home Run Derby title at Coors Field, fending off Trey Mancini in the finals.

Birthdays: Dick Rusteck (81), Chasen Shreve (32)

Let’s go Mets!

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