Orioles still rolling on offense, rout Mets 10-3

BALTIMORE (AP) — Pat Valaika described his late father-in-law as one of his biggest fans — someone who would remind him how great it can be to be a major league baseball player.

“He always told me I’m living the dream," Valaika said. "Sometimes I take it for granted, but he was definitely with me tonight.”

In his first game back from the bereavement list following the death of his father-in-law, Valaika doubled twice and the Baltimore Orioles rolled to another high-scoring victory, 10-3 over the New York Mets on Tuesday night.

“He loved watching me play more than anything — he really lived for it," Valaika said. "I knew coming back that all he would want me to do was to play.”

Maikel Franco became the sixth player to hit a home run into the second deck at Camden Yards, and Anthony Santander also homered for the Orioles, who have won five of six after a 14-game losing streak. Baltimore also hit seven doubles in the game, including two each by Valaika and Cedric Mullins.

Bruce Zimmermann (4-3) allowed a two-run homer in the first inning to Pete Alonso, but the Mets managed only one more hit off him in five innings. David Peterson (1-5) yielded four runs and eight hits in 2 2/3 innings.

Baltimore outhit the NL East leaders 16-4 after scoring 18 runs with 21 hits in Sunday's victory over Cleveland.

“I thought tonight we took really good at-bats,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. “Once again, up and down the order, a lot of production from the bottom half of the order.”

Alonso added a second homer in the ninth, making him the first Mets player with a multi-homer game this season.

Valaika tied the game at 2 with a two-run double in the second, then scored on a double by Mullins. Valaika doubled home another run in the...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Orioles-still-rolling-on-offense-rout-Mets-10-3-16234580.php