ORIOLES POSTCAST: Gunnar Henderson's Clutch HR Lifts Baltimore Orioles Over New York Mets in Pete Alonso Homecoming

Pete Alonso returned to Citi Field in Orioles black and orange for the first time, one home run shy of career No. 300 ... and while the former Mets franchise home-run king did not get his storybook moment, his new Baltimore teammates made sure he opened the series in Queens with a win.

Luke Slabaugh reacts to the Orioles’ gritty 2-1 victory over the New York Mets in an emotional homecoming night for Alonso. Baltimore’s new first baseman went 0-for-3 with a walk against the organization that drafted him, but he came close to launching No. 300 when he got out in front of Jonah Tong’s 3-1 changeup and sent a long fly ball just foul.

The Orioles had limited offense all night, but they delivered when the game demanded it.

Heston Kjerstad put Baltimore on the board with an RBI double, and Gunnar Henderson came through with the defining swing in the top of the eighth. Gunnar crushed a middle-low slider from Mets right-hander Dedniel Núñez for a go-ahead home run — his 23rd blast of the season — to lift the O’s to a massive late win in New York.

Brandon Young fought through five difficult innings, tying a career high with five walks and throwing a career-high 106 pitches. It was not pretty, but he kept Baltimore in the game. Then Josh Walker took over. The left-hander recorded five crucial outs and extended his scoreless outing streak to 17 appearances, the Orioles’ longest such streak since Yennier Cano in 2023.

On a night built around Pete Alonso’s return home, the Orioles showed up for their newest star — and Gunnar Henderson provided the swing that sent Birdland home happy.

In this Orioles Postcast, Luke breaks down:

Pete Alonso’s first game back at Citi Field as an Oriole

Alonso remaining one home run away from 300 career homers

Gunnar Henderson’s game-changing eighth-inning homer

Heston Kjerstad’s RBI double and Baltimore’s narrowly enough offense

Brandon Young battling through five inefficient innings

Josh Walker’s dominant five-out relief appearance and 17-game scoreless streak

Why this was a huge team win for the Orioles in New York

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