Mets' Alonso hits 52nd HR, ties MLB rookie mark

Reuters

With his 52nd home run of the season on Friday night against the visiting Atlanta Braves, New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso tied the major league home run record for rookies.

With the Mets trailing 2-0 with one out in the bottom of the first inning, Alonso lined an 87 mph cutter from Braves left-hander Dallas Keuchel over the left-field wall as Mets fans and teammates erupted at Citi Field. After receiving congratulations in his home dugout, Alonso stepped out for a curtain call.

While not as prodigious as many of his home runs this season, Alonso's blast matched the mark of New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, who slugged 52 home runs in 2017.

With the homer, the 24-year-old Alonso also became the first Mets rookie ever to score 100 runs in a season after already becoming the first Mets rookie to surpass 100 RBIs (after Friday's homer, he sat at 119 for the season -- six away breaking the franchise mark held by Mike Piazza).

He has already broken several team single-season marks this season for all players -- not just rookies -- including most home runs, total bases and extra-base hits.

--Field Level Media