Pete Alonso, Mets flex muscles to take opener from Marlins

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Juan LagaresMIAMI — Juan Lagares delivered a knuckle sandwich Monday night, just in time to help rescue the Mets from a potential second straight late-inning flop.

Attempting to sacrifice bunt with two strikes in the ninth inning, Lagares appeared out on a foul ball, but plate umpire Sam Holbrook ruled the pitch had struck Lagares’ right hand. With the call upheld on replay, the Mets soon had a rally — that included Pete Alonso’s first major league homer — and a 7-3 victory over the Marlins.

Lagares remained in the game massaging the knuckle on his right index finger and Amed Rosario delivered a go-ahead RBI single against Drew Steckinrider. The rookie Alonso then unleashed a…