Alonso is not just a ‘slugger’ – he just silenced the Nationals with an unbelievable defensive play.

While David Peterson’s complete-game shutout, Brandon Nimmo’s two home runs, and Juan Soto’s recent power surge grabbed headlines during the New York Mets’ 5-0 win over the Washington Nationals, it was Pete Alonso who quietly played a pivotal role on both offense and defense.

The Mets’ slugger has been on a tear for weeks, and even in a game filled with highlight-reel moments, his contributions served as the invisible glue holding the victory together.

Alonso’s Bat Sets the Tone Early

Pete Alonso wasted no time impacting the game. In the first inning, he jumped on a two-out curveball from Nationals starter Jake Irvin and ripped an RBI double that one-hopped the center field wall, driving in Brandon Nimmo to give the Mets an early 1-0 lead — a lead that would prove to be all David Peterson needed.

The timely extra-base hit extended Alonso’s on-base streak to 19 games and his hitting streak to eight games, both team-high marks that demonstrate his consistency and clutch hitting during the early portion of the 2025 season.

“That first inning run is so underrated,” said Mets manager Carlos Mendoza. “It sets the tone, puts pressure on the opposing pitcher, and gives our guy confidence. Pete’s been doing that a lot lately.”

The Silent Value of Alonso’s Defense

While Alonso is known primarily for his power, his defensive performance at first base against the Nationals was just as crucial as his early RBI double. Often underappreciated, Alonso has been working hard to refine his glove work, and Wednesday’s game was a showcase of his defensive growth.

In the second inning, Ronny Mauricio threw a low ball from third that skipped on the dirt, but Alonso made a clean scoop to save a potential error and preserve the inning. Plays like that don’t appear in the box score but are vital in maintaining the rhythm and confidence of a pitcher like Peterson, who was chasing a career milestone.

Perhaps the biggest play came in the seventh inning, when the Nationals were threatening with two runners on base. Alonso knocked down a sharp ground ball off the bat of Alex Call, recovered quickly, and won the foot race to first base, keeping the shutout intact.

“The defense made some big plays,” said Peterson, who was quick to praise Alonso after the game. “Pete knocking that ball down – that’s the difference in a shutout or a stressful inning. I get the attention for it, but this was a huge team win.”

Mets’ Victory Built on Balance and Fundamentals

The Mets’ 5-0 victory wasn’t flashy — it was surgical. From Alonso’s timely RBI to Nimmo’s fireworks to Peterson’s precision on the mound, the team showcased what a balanced, complete game looks like. But behind the stats lies a growing truth: Pete Alonso is playing the best two-way baseball of his career.

Though he only had one hit on the day, it was the only run-producing hit needed. More importantly, his poise and reliability at first base provided the sort of defensive stability championship-level teams require.

“I don’t care what the metrics say,” said Mets bench coach Eric Chavez. “Pete is playing a better defensive first base this year. He’s confident. He’s smart. He’s helping our infield a ton.”

Alonso’s Offensive Consistency Powering the Mets

Beyond just this game, Alonso’s offensive output over the last two months has been nothing short of elite. In his last 19 games, he’s batting over .320, slugging above .600, and has driven in nearly 20 runs. He’s been a cornerstone in the Mets’ offensive resurgence, especially with injuries to key contributors and inconsistency in other parts of the lineup.

Alonso now has 14 home runs and 44 RBIs on the season and ranks near the top of the National League in extra-base hits. But it’s his situational hitting that’s turned heads. With runners in scoring position, Alonso is hitting .358 — a huge leap from his performance in that category just a year ago.

Pete Alonso: Quiet MVP Candidate?

While names like Mookie Betts, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Juan Soto continue to dominate MVP conversations, Pete Alonso’s quiet consistency deserves more national attention. His ability to produce runs in clutch situations and his willingness to improve his defense — all while carrying a heavy load in a big-market team — makes him one of MLB’s most valuable and underrated stars.

“I don’t need the spotlight,” Alonso said after the game. “I just want to help this team win. That’s what matters.”

Still, if the Mets continue their current upward trajectory, Alonso may not be able to avoid the spotlight for much longer.

The Mets’ Pitching Strategy Evolves: The Paul Blackburn Factor

While Alonso is anchoring the infield and the heart of the batting order, Paul Blackburn is carving out a new role that could shape the Mets’ pitching depth down the stretch.

Blackburn, acquired at the 2024 trade deadline, has dealt with a number of injuries during his time in Queens. After making a solid five-inning, scoreless start against the Dodgers on June 2, he was moved into a piggyback bullpen role, where he recently delivered four innings and 71 pitches in a blowout win.

Carlos Mendoza Keeps Options Open

When asked about Blackburn’s role going forward, manager Carlos Mendoza remained non-committal.

“It happened that day in Colorado,” Mendoza said. “We were staying away from a lot of guys [in the bullpen] that day. But if we need to use him for an inning or two in high leverage, we would do it.”

Mendoza emphasized that Blackburn is still fully built up, with the ability to throw 75–80 pitches, giving the Mets rare flexibility for either long relief or spot starts. While he’s only made five career relief appearances, Blackburn has started 83 MLB games, proving he can handle various roles if needed.

Team-First Mentality Keeps Mets Rolling

The Mets’ recent success — capped by the shutout win over Washington — has been driven by team-first mentalities from key contributors like Pete Alonso and Paul Blackburn. Whether it’s Alonso scooping a low throw to save an inning, or Blackburn mopping up to preserve the bullpen, these small moments compound into winning baseball.

“We’re not about stats,” said Alonso. “We’re about wins.”

And right now, that’s exactly what the Mets are doing.

Final Thoughts: Alonso’s Impact Bigger Than the Box Score

In a sport increasingly obsessed with analytics and exit velocity, it’s easy to overlook the value of the steady, unselfish star. Pete Alonso might not have the flashiest numbers every night, but he brings elite production and quiet leadership that championship teams are built around.

As the New York Mets continue to fight for postseason positioning in a tough National League, they’ll need more than just home runs and highlight plays. They’ll need grinders, glue guys — and unsung heroes like Pete Alonso to keep doing the little things that win games.

So while David Peterson’s shutout and Brandon Nimmo’s bombs stole the show, don’t forget who started it all — and who held it together.

Pete Alonso may not ask for the credit, but he deserves every bit of it.