Alonso homers again, Mets thump Giants 9-4

SAN FRANCISCO — Pete Alonso hit his major league-leading ninth homer and drove in four runs, Eduardo Escobar added a two-run drive to back a milestone night for rookie pitcher Kodai Senga and the New York Mets beat the San Francisco Giants 9-4 on Thursday night.

Jeff McNeil also connected for his first homer of the season and had an RBI single for New York. Brandon Nimmo, who had five hits against the Dodgers on Wednesday, added three more for the Mets, who are 6-1 on their 10-game road trip.

Senga allowed four runs and five hits, struck out four and walked four in five innings to become the second pitcher in franchise history to begin his career 3-0. The Japanese right-hander joined Steven Matz, who won his first four decisions in 2015.

Blake Sabol and LaMonte Wade Jr. homered for San Francisco. Mike Yastrzemski added three hits.

Alonso, who also had a two-run single, crushed a 3-2 pitch into the left field bleachers in the fourth inning off Sean Manaea (0-1) for his eighth home run in the last 14 games. It came after Francisco Lindor was hit by a pitch and was the 155th drive of Alonso’s career, 89 of which have come on the road.

Escobar’s second home run came after Manaea hit a batter and put the Mets up 4-0. New York has hit home runs in seven of its last eight games.

Senga had to pitch around traffic much of the game and overcame a rocky fifth when the Giants hit a pair of home runs and scored four runs.

Brooks Raley, John Curtiss, Drew Smith and Jeff Brigham combined for four scoreless innings of relief for New York.

Manaea allowed four hits with three walks in 3 2/3 innings. He’s the first Giants starte

Up next

RHP Anthony DeSclafani (1-0, 1.42 ERA) starts for San Francisco on Friday looking for his first win since April 3.