Mets first baseman Pete Alonso made franchise and MLB history by hitting two two-run home runs in Wednesday's 9-8 loss to the Dodgers.
With his third multi-homer game of the season, Alonso hit home runs Nos. 9 and 10 in the month of May, which broke the team's record for home runs by a rookie for any calendar month, surpassing Darryl Strawberry's record he tied in April with nine.
But more than that, Alonso also tied Mark McGwire's rookie record with the most home runs prior to June 1 (19). The current rookie home run record is 52, which Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge set in 2017, and Alonso is on pace to hit 56.
"That's incredible," Alonso told reporters after Wednesday's game. "But, ultimately, I'm just trying to help this team win. That's it. I'm forever grateful for this opportunity given to me. I just want to keep working hard and keep trying to capitalize on every opportunity that I have, day in and day out."
Alonso hit a 97 mph Walker Buehler fastball 408 feet to right-center in the first inning that gave the Mets a 2-0 lead, then added another two-run shot when he pulled a 92 mph Buehler cutter over the left-field fence in the fifth inning that made it 5-3.
Video: Pete Alonso goes deep to give Mets early 2-0 lead
Video: Alonso goes deep for his second home run of the night
Asked what he attributes his success to, Alonso said "hard work and preparation" and his ability to take each at-bat independently.
"I take pride in studying video, reviewing scouting reports, knowing who's behind the dish, knowing especially the guy on the mound and taking each day day-by-day," he said. "Every at-bat or every day doesn't have barring on the next, so I want to be the best I possibly can for the next at-bat, and that's all that matters. Whether I strike out or hit a grand slam, it doesn't matter because I've got to focus on the next one. I've got to flush whatever the result is previously and keep plugging along."
Already, Alonso is in a three-way tie for second place in team history for most home runs by a rookie. While Strawberry tops the list with 26 in 1983, Alonso is tied with Ike Davis (2010) and Ron Swoboda (1965), who also hit 19, in second.
Oh, and there are still two games left in May.
"He's very talented, and he works, and he's prepared," manager Mickey Callaway said.