First baseman Pete Alonso set the New York Mets record for home runs by a rookie in a season when he blasted his 27th on Sunday.
Alonso’s solo home run in the top of the fourth inning against Cole Hamels of the Chicago Cubs traveled 454 feet and broke the record set in 1983 by Darryl Strawberry in 122 games.
The Mets’ 5-3 loss to the Cubs on Sunday was just the 77th game of the season for Alonso, who finished 1-for-2 with two walks.
He also extended his National League record for most home runs by a rookie before the All-Star break, which he set Saturday. Cody Bellinger of the Los Angeles Dodgers hit 25 in 2017.
Mark McGwire set the major league record for homers by a rookie before the break with 33 for the Oakland Athletics in 1987.
Alonso also tied slugger Dave Kingman’s record for most homers in Mets history before July 1, set in 1976.
