Thu Sep 12 01:32:12 UTC 2024: ## Alvarez Breaks Out of Slump with Game-Winning Homer, Mets Beat Blue Jays 6-2
**TORONTO** – Francisco Alvarez, the Mets’ young catcher who had been struggling at the plate, broke out of a slump in a big way on Wednesday night, hitting a three-run walk-off homer in the ninth inning to secure a 6-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.
Alvarez’s homer was his first since August 19th, ending a 25-day drought. It came after he and the rest of the Mets lineup were no-hit for the first eight innings by Blue Jays pitcher Bowden Francis.
“It meant a lot to him,” said Francisco Lindor, whose solo homer in the ninth inning broke up the no-hitter and tied the game. “I felt the way he gave me a hug, he’s been trying, he’s been working extremely hard, and sometimes it doesn’t go his way.”
Alvarez’s recent struggles have been well-documented, with the young catcher posting a dismal .480 OPS since the All-Star break. The Mets have been struggling for consistency offensively as well, with only Lindor and Mark Vientos consistently providing production.
The loss of Jeff McNeil to a fractured right wrist last Friday has further hurt the Mets’ lineup, leaving them without a key contributor for the remainder of the regular season.
Alvarez attributed his struggles to a lack of control over his hips at the plate. “Don’t open my hips too much, stayed closed, I think that is most important to me,” he said. “I really feel my hips are very strong, and now I am much stronger I think and they are faster, so I have to control them.”
After Lindor’s homer, the Mets took a 3-1 lead on sacrifice flies by Pete Alonso and Starling Marte. Alvarez then capped off the victory with his game-winning blast off of Genesis Cabrera.
Despite the struggles, Alvarez remains focused on his primary role as catcher. “The bigger thing for me is catching, and I like to help my pitchers, so I give a better chance for the team to win,” he said.
First Piper 