Brad Mills/USA Today Sports, via Reuters
WASHINGTON — When Pete Alonso, the Mets’ first baseman, collected his first hit as a major leaguer on opening day, his general manager, Brodie Van Wagenen, congratulated him, and encouraged him to do better than a soft single to center.
“For your next hit, make sure you get it on the barrel,” Van Wagenen said.
Alonso quickly complied, helping the Mets to an 11-8 victory against the Washington Nationals on Saturday in his second major league game.
Alonso, who won the starting job after spraying hits all over Florida during spring training, stroked a single to right field in his first at bat Saturday.