MIAMI — Pete Alonso may have been the Mets’ lone All-Star, but he certainly hasn’t played like one lately.
If his .576 OPS for July wasn’t a blemish enough entering Sunday, the slugging first baseman had three at-bats with runners in scoring position that could have altered the outcome against the Marlins, and failed to produce in all of them.
The Mets’ lineup has cooled after a torrid stretch, leaving Alonso’s shortcomings more noticeable.
On this day they lost 4-2 at loanDepot park and will now need a victory on Monday just to escape with a split in this four-game series against the NL’s worst team.
Alonso grounded out to leave the tying run at third base in the seventh after helping to stall a rally in the fifth by hitting into a fielder’s choice with two runners aboard.
He also flied out to end the first with a runner at second base. He’s got only two homers in 67 at-bats this month.
The Mets (50-48) have averaged only 2.3 runs in their three games since the All-Star break.
Christian Scott departed after four innings and 75 pitches.
The rookie allowed three earned runs on seven hits with four strikeouts and two walks.
The long ball continues to be a factor for him: Jazz Chisholm’s three-run blast in the fourth accounted for the Marlins’ scoring against him.
Scott has allowed eight homers in 47 ⅓ innings.
The Mets took a 1-0 lead in the fourth following catcher Nick Fortes’ throwing error attempting to pick off Mark Vientos from first base.
The throw struck Vientos’ helmet — he was momentarily shaken up — and allowed Alonso to reach third. Luis Torrens followed with a sacrifice fly.
Alonso and Vientos singled in succession against Trevor Rogers to begin the rally.
Chisholm’S homer placed the Mets in a 3-1 hole.
Delivering insights on all things Amazin's
Sign up for Inside the Mets by Mike Puma, exclusively on Sports+
Thank you
After Xavier Edwards and Vidal Brujan each singled to begin the inning and advanced to second and third on Fortes’ sacrifice bunt, Chisholm hit a hanging slider into the right-field seats.
J.D. Martinez stroked an RBI single in the fifth that pulled the Mets within 3-2.
Harrison Bader reached on a two-base throwing error by Fortes and Brandon Nimmo walked before Martinez delivered for his 40th RBI of the season.
But the Mets missed a chance to at minimum tie the game, as Alonso hit into a fielder’s choice and Vientos struck out, leaving Nimmo at third base.
Adrian Houser escaped a jam in the sixth by getting Chisholm to hit into an inning-ending double play after Brujan had reached base with his third single of the day and Fortes walked.
Francisco Lindor got as far as third base in the seventh — he singled and advanced on a balk and error by Fortes on a return throw to the pitcher — but was left stranded as Alonso was retired.
Houser recorded two quick outs in the seventh before Jake Burger homered to extend the Marlins’ lead to 4-2. It was the last batter Houser faced.
Jake Diekman got the final four outs without allowing a run.