Tong pitches 5 innings in debut, Mets set team record for runs at home in 19-9 romp over Marlins

Audio By Carbonatix

NEW YORK (AP) — Jonah Tong allowed one earned run in five innings in his major league debut and the New York Mets hit six homers and set a franchise record for runs in a home game in a 19-9 victory over the Miami Marlins on Friday night.

Tong (1-0) received a standing ovation from the sellout crowd of 42,112 when he took the mound for a six-pitch first inning. The 22-year-old Canadian right-hander had a 5-0 lead when he returned for the second, and the Mets made it 12-0 in the bottom of the inning.

With an over-the-top delivery that has drawn comparisons to Tim Lincecum, Tong struck out six without a walk. He threw 63 of 97 pitches for strikes.

In the bottom of the first against Eury Pérez (6-4), Juan Soto hit a two-run homer and Brandon Nimmo had a three-run shot before an out was recorded.

Pete Alonso had a two-run homer in the second. Nimmo added a solo shot in the sixth before Mark Vientos went deep and Luis Torrens slugged a three-run shot in a six-run eighth off infielder Javier Sanjoja.

Tong allowed all four runs in the fifth following fielding errors by Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso. Lindor dropped a throw from second baseman Brett Baty on a force attempt and Alonso misplayed a grounder by Jacob Marsee.

The Mets won for the ninth time in 13 games.

Otto Lopez homered and had a two-run single for the Marlins.

After allowing Lopez’s hit, Tong ended his outing by getting a called third strike on a 95 mph fastball against Liam Hicks.

The Mets scored 19 runs for the second time this season and seventh time in team history.

Miami RHP Edward Cabrera (7-7, 3.32 ERA) faces LHP David Peterson (8-5, 3.18) on Saturday.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb