Mets Blast Athletics, Maintain 1.5 Game Lead in NL East

 METS 13 - ATHLETICS 4 

The New York Mets maintained their lead of 1.5 games over the Atlanta Braves in the NL East by putting away the Oakland A's 13-4 on Sunday in a series that was defined by the Mets ability to score early and often in two of the three games. 

Moreover Pete Alonso drove in five runs to give the slugging first baseman 125 RBI on the year setting a new club record for RBI in a season. The previous mark of 124 belonged to Mike Piazza (1999) and David Wright (2008). 

With nine games left in the regular season, Alonso is going to obliterate that record; he has enough time to challenge 135 or 140 RBI when its all said and done in a couple weeks. 

Alonso cracked a two-run homer to straight away center field that highlighted a four-run fourth inning for the Amazin's as New York took a 7-0 lead. Later, he cleared the bases on a three-run double to put the Mets up 11-1 in the eighth inning. 

 

Alonso hit safely in every game of this series, and homered twice. He is starting to get hot at the right time. 

Francisco Lindor also enjoyed a big afternoon for the Mets, with three hits, including a two-run double in the fourth and a RBI single in the eighth inning. 

Eduardo Escobar, who has been tearing the cover off the ball of late had three more hits and a pair of RBI on the afternoon as well. 

On the mound Max Scherzer held the A's to a run on four hits over six innings. He walked one and struck out seven. Scherzer is 11-4 on the season. 

The Mets will be off Monday, before returning to Citi Field for a quick two-game series with Miami before heading to Atlanta for the series that will determine the NL East champion.