Mets' Lindor bailed out by Alonso, wins it in 10th vs Giants

NEW YORK (AP) — Francisco Lindor lined a walk-off single in the 10th after a big stretch by Pete Alonso bailed out him and the Mets in the top of the inning, and New York beat the San Francisco Giants 5-4 Tuesday to open a doubleheader.

Lindor ripped a clean single to center against Jarlín García (1-1), scoring automatic runner Brandon Nimmo from third. He was mobbed by teammates in the infield, with Alonso trying to rip off his uniform.

Alonso certainly earned the souvenir. A half-inning earlier, Lindor's throw on Thairo Estrada's grounder pulled the first baseman off the bag, apparently allowing Brandon Belt to score from third with two outs.

Replays showed Alonso just barely held the base with his right foot — Alonso jumped for joy when a freeze frame appeared on the video board — and umpires overruled the safe call. The grab kept Adam Ottavino (1-0) in line for the win.

Nimmo began the 10th as the Mets' automatic runner after a late double switch in the top of the inning — a move allowed by umpires that drew an argument from Giants manager Gabe Kapler. If the swap hadn't been granted, New York would've been stuck with backup catcher Tomás Nido at second.

Two of baseball's best teams early this season, the Mets and Giants were each set to play at least 18 innings in one day for the first time since 2019. Pandemic-era seven-inning doubleheaders are gone, but automatic runners in extra innings remained.

The Mets nearly ended it in the ninth, when Giants closer Camilo Doval walked Eduardo Escobar and Robinson Canó leading off the ninth. Pinch-hitter Luis Guillorme — clean shaven after years with a long beard — sacrificed them to second and third, but Doval gathered himself and struck out Travis Jankowski and pinch-hitter Dominic Smith swinging to force extras.

Joc...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Mets-Lindor-bailed-out-by-Alonso-wins-it-in-17091881.php