New York Mets vs Kansas City Royals Match Player Stats On Aug 17, 2019

Jacob deGrom pitched seven innings of one-run ball and star rookie Pete Alonso hit a tiebreaking two-run, bases-loaded single with two outs in the seventh inning and the visiting New York Mets defeated the Kansas City Royals 4-1 Saturday night.

DeGrom (8-7) gave up two of his three hits to Hunter Dozier, who singled in the fourth and seventh. DeGrom struck out five, walked two and threw 107 pitches.

DeGrom allowed three runs or less for the 16th straight time. Not including openers, that is the longest active streak in the majors. He also moved five ahead of injured Washington ace Max Scherzer for the National League lead with 194 strikeouts.

Alonso snapped a 1-1 deadlock after barely missing a grand slam. He hit a long fly ball that appeared to land in fair territory in a right field seating area filled with Mets fans, but the ball was called foul. The Mets asked for a crew chief review but following a 1:47 review, the call stood as a foul ball when it appeared umpires could not get a good angle at the ball traveling into the dusk.

Two pitches later, Alonso slapped a single to the lip of the dirt at second baseman Whit Merrifield, who was shifted behind the bag. Merrifield fielded the ball as Juan Lagares scored but the ball was cut off at the mound and Aaron Altherr scored the second run to make to 3-1.

New York's stars helped the Mets win for the 17th time in their past 22 games.

DeGrom allowed two hits to start the seventh but got a double play grounder off the bat of Cheslor Cuthbert. After walking Brett Phillips, the reigning NL Cy Young award winner blew a fastball past Ryan O'Hearn for his final strikeout.

New York's first run scored in the fifth when Joe Panik had an RBI single after Rosario hit into a double play. Lagares contributed three hits, including an RBI triple in the eighth.

DeGrom retired the first 10 hitters before he walked Alex Gordon in the fourth. Gordon took third on a base hit by Dozier and scored when Alonso misplayed Jorge Soler's grounder by letting the ball trickle off his glove.

After deGrom's latest strong start, Justin Wilson -- aided by Altherr's over-the-shoulder catch in left on Merrifield -- tossed a scoreless eighth. Seth Lugo pitched a scoreless ninth and converted his third save.

Kansas City starter Jakub Junis (8-11) allowed three runs on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings. Junis struck out six, walked one and exited after hitting Altherr with a pitch.

--Field Level Media