2. Aug. 12: Alonso’s walk-off homer helps the Mets sweep the Washington Nationals
Despite hitting 53 homers as a rookie in 2019, Alonso did not hit his first career walk-off homer until Sept. 3, 2020, against the Yankees. His second career walk-off blast came against the Nationals this season, capping a doubleheader sweep that nearly slipped away from the Amazins. The Mets entered the top of the seventh inning with a 4-1 lead, but Trevor May and Jeurys Familia combined to allow three runs, all of whom scored with noted Mets killer Andrew Stevenson at the plate (Stevenson hit .375 against the Mets in 2021 in 24 at-bats, compared to .229 overall).
The excitement of an impending sweep quickly left Citi Field like a deflated balloon, though the game was still tied. Newly minted closer Kyle Finnegan was set to face Jeff McNeil, Alonso, and Smith in the bottom half of the seventh. McNeil didn’t cause him any trouble, grounding out to first. That sent Alonso to the plate, who saw two balls out of the strike zone to begin the at-bat. From there, Finnegan gave Alonso a fastball he could handle, and Alonso handled it.
The Polar Bear connected for a high drive to left field that seemed to stay in the air for an eternity. Fans watching in the ballpark and at home held their breath, wondering if it could muster its way over the fence and send the Mets to victory. Stevenson, manning left field, timed his leap well at the wall, but the ball had too much carry and sailed into the M&M party deck. Excitement ensued as Alonso was pelted with candy and had his shirt ripped off, and the Citi Field faithful went home happy.