New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso understood why some Atlanta Braves fans cheered after he took a fastball to the wrist in the top of the first inning of Wednesday's game between the division rivals.
Pete Alonso has left tonight's game vs. the Braves after being hit by a pitch. pic.twitter.com/P9S8Hrexfr
— SNY (@SNYtv) June 7, 2023
"I just think that’s a consequence of what I said in the dugout and the hot mic," Alonso explained after New York's 7-5 loss, as shared by Ryan Chichester of Audacy. "It’s just unfortunate, because I think it got blown out of proportion."
Alonso was referring to an incident that occurred during Tuesday's game that Atlanta ultimately won 6-4. Per Miles Schachner of the New York Post, Alonso went deep off Atlanta's Bryce Elder in the top of the third inning of Tuesday's contest and then yelled from the dugout for Elder to "throw it again, please."
“THROW IT AGAIN, PLEASE!”
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) June 7, 2023
Pete Alonso chirping Bryce Elder after taking him deep pic.twitter.com/0nFA9vtV3x
Fans taunted a hurting Alonso with that same phrase as he walked toward the dugout following Wednesday's hit-by-pitch. Fortunately for the 28-year-old, X-rays on his wrist came back negative. He was diagnosed with a wrist contusion and was considered day-to-day as of early Thursday afternoon.
"Friendly competitive banter," Alonso continued during his comments. "I guarantee if you were to mic both dugouts, you’re gonna hear certain things that people could take offense to. But I didn’t mean anything by it."
The Mets have bigger concerns than what Alonso did or didn't mean on Tuesday. ESPN stats show the first baseman began Thursday leading all of MLB with 22 home runs on the season and sitting fifth among all players with 49 RBI. Meanwhile, the Mets lost their fifth straight game on Wednesday to fall to 30-32.
"I didn't think it'd be that offensive," Alonso added about his "throw it again" plea. "But they have really hot mics in the dugout. When things can be twisted a certain way, it is what it is. It's part of playing in the major leagues."
The Mets need a healthy Alonso available as soon as possible. They entered Thursday's MLB action trailing the first-place Braves in the National League East standings by seven and a half games.
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