Alonso Powers Mets Past Matz and Blue Jays

 METS 3 - BLUE JAYS 0 

If it wasn't clear already, it is now that Pete Alonso is falling into a post-Home Run Derby funk. The Mets All Star first baseman hit a pair of home runs and drove in all three Mets runs Friday night in a 3-0 victory over the Blue Jays. 

Alonso has been red hot lately. He is riding a seven game hitting streak, and his batting average has jumped 12 points since last week to .262. He has also hit four home runs since his incredible performance in the Home Run Derby two weeks ago. 

The Mets need Alonso to catch fire. With the trade deadline fast approaching, he is easily New York's most dangerous hitter, especially with Francisco Lindor on the shelf until late August. 

Meanwhile Tyler Megill out-dueled former Met Steve Matz on the hill. Megill who was just a fill in when he joined the rotation several weeks ago, is now a mainstay. He shutout the Blue Jays dominating lineup, holding them to only a pair of singles. MeGill's ERA is now 2.10. A munch needed boost in the arm for a rotation that has been ravaged by injuries. 

As for Matz, he pitched well in his return to Citi Field as a member of the visiting team. He gave up only two runs on four hits over 5.1 innings of work for Toronto. 

Michael Conforto made a tremendous diving grab in the sixth inning off Bo Bichette that was easily one of the best catches of the season. 

TRADE WINDS: The Mets sent Tommy Hunter and a minor leaguer to the Tampa Bay Rays for 41-year old starting pitcher Rich Hill. Hill was one of Tampa Bay's better starters this season posting a 6-4 record with a 3.87 ERA. It's odd that Tampa would trade him considering they are in the midst of a playoff race in the American League. Hill is now on his 11th Major League team after this deal went down. He is a serviceable starter, and the Mets desperately needed a starter who can give them innings until Jacob deGrom, Carlos Carrasco and Noah Syndergaard return to the rotation.