Pete Alonso is back in the lead… 

The 24-year-old part-Spanish American professional baseball player sent two more pitches flying into the stands, which helped give the New York Metsa crucial victory.

Alonso hit two homers to take sole possession of the Major League Baseball lead, as New York beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-1 on Monday night in the opener of an important four-game series for both teams.

The Diamondbacks began the day 1½ games behind the Chicago Cubs for the second National League wild-card spot and the Mets trailed by four. Chicago played later at the San Diego Padres.

Alonso hit a solo drive in the first inning, then connected for another, his 47th home run, in the fifth. He moved two ahead Mike Trout for most in the MLBand closed within five of Aaron Judge‘s rookie record set two years ago.

“When they throw him strikes, he’s going to hit the ball hard,” manager Mickey Callawaysaid. “That’s first and foremost. There’s got to be some anxiety with pitchers having to face Pete. So, if he doesn’t get on via hit, he’s getting on via walk. He’s just a great hitter.”

Alonso set a team record by reaching base safely in his 34th consecutive game. The first baseman recorded his fourth career multi-homer game and joined Darryl Strawberryas the only Mets rookie to get four multi-homer games.

“We just made some mistakes in the wrong inning at the wrong time and he took advantage of them,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said.