Pete Alonso homers and newcomer Paul Blackburn strikes out 6 for Mets in 5-1 victory over Angels

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Pete Alonso homered for the third time in five games and Paul Blackburn allowed only one run in his Mets debut as New York beat the Los Angeles Angels 5-1 on Friday night.

Brandon Nimmo went 3 for 5 as everyone in the Mets' lineup had at least one hit. New York has won three of four.

Blackburn (5-2), acquired by the Mets from Oakland on Monday, defeated the Angels for the second time in eight days. The right-hander went six innings and allowed one run on six hits and struck out six.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza was pleased with Blackburn's outing, especially with the way he was able to mix all his pitches.

“Honestly, I came in today, saw him and told him to be himself and I would talk to him after the game,” Mendoza said.

Blackburn reported to the Mets on Thursday, but didn't begin to meet most of his new teammates until before Friday's game.

Blackburn said the pregame meeting and working with catcher with Francisco Alvarez went better than expected.

“The preparation on his end, constant communication between innings was fun to watch. For the first time out, couldn't have gone better with us,” Blackburn said. "It's been crazy but I'm here to do the job. ... We got the win, that’s all I’m here for really. That’s all I care about”

Nolan Schanuel had two hits and extended his hitting streak to seven games for the Angels, who have dropped six of eight during their homestand. Jo Adell had an RBI single in the second.

“I think we took him for granted," Angels manager Ron Washington said about facing Blackburn. “Tried to do too much with him and took too many big swings instead of trying to keep the line moving. When you have a young offense, that’s what happens.”

With one out in the third inning and Nimmo on first base, Alonso drove a first-pitch cutter from Tyler Anderson (8-10) into the left field stands to give the Mets a 3-1 lead. Alonso is tied for fifth in the National League with 23 homers.

“I felt pretty good at the dish for a long time now. I’m just happy that the balls and line drives are starting to carry over the fence," Alonso said.

Anderson gave up three runs on eight hits in five innings.

The Mets opened the scoring in the second, when Francisco Alvarez's base hit to left-center drove in Jose Iglesias, who led off the inning with a double.

The Angels evened it in the home half when three straight batters reached base. Adell lined a ball that went off Mets third baseman Mark Vientos and into left field as Mickey Moniak scored from second base.

The Mets added a pair in the sixth. J.D. Martinez had an RBI base hit and Francisco Lindor scored when Angels shortstop Zach Neto mishandled Vientos' grounder for an error.

WEB GEM

Angels second baseman Luis Guillorme made a diving catch in shallow right field to rob Francisco Alvarez in the fifth inning. Guillorme ran 94 feet to make the play, according to MLB Statcast. Ironically, Guillmore was drafted in the 10th round by the Mets in 2013.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Mets: OF Starling Marte (right knee bone bruise) did some running in the outfield. He will head to the team's spring training complex in Florida on Monday to continue his rehab.

Angels: 3B Luis Rengifo came out after four innings due to irritation to his right wrist. It is the same wrist that caused him to miss 15 games in July.

UP NEXT

Mets LHP David Peterson (5-1, 3.52 ERA) looks to bounce back after suffering his first loss of the season last Sunday at Atlanta. Angels RHP José Soriano (6-7, 3.69 ERA) went 2-2 in five starts during July.

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

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, center, celebrates with third baseman Mark Vientos, left, and second baseman Jose Iglesias, right, after the final out of the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, left, celebrates with third baseman Mark Vientos, after the final out of the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

New York Mets' Harrison Bader celebrates after scoring off a single hit by J.D Martinez during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Los Angeles Angels second baseman Luis Guillorme catches a popout from New York Mets' Francisco Alvarez during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Los Angeles Angels second baseman Luis Guillorme catches a popout from New York Mets' Francisco Alvarez during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Tyler Anderson throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout sits in the dugout during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

New York Mets' Pete Alonso, right, celebrates his two-run home run with Brandon Nimmo, who also scored, during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, left, picks off Los Angeles Angels' Jo Adell who was trying to steal second base during the second inning of a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

New York Mets' Pete Alonso, right, celebrates his two-run home run with Brandon Nimmo, who also scored, during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

New York Mets starting pitcher Paul Blackburn throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

New York Mets' Pete Alonso tosses his bat after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been diagnosed with a concussion for the third time in his NFL career, leaving his team's game Thursday night against Buffalo after running into defensive back Damar Hamlin and hitting the back of his head against the turf.

Tagovailoa remained down for about two minutes before getting to his feet and walking to the sideline after the play in the third quarter. He made his way to the tunnel not long afterward, looking into the stands before smiling and departing toward the locker room.

The Dolphins needed almost no time before announcing it was a concussion. The team said he had two during the 2022 season, and Tagovailoa was diagnosed with another concussion when he was a college player at Alabama.

He signed a four-year, $212 million extension before this season — a deal that makes him one of the highest-paid players in the NFL — and was the NFL’s leading passer in Week 1 this season. Tagovailoa left with the Dolphins trailing 31-10, and that was the final score.

Tagovailoa's college years and first three NFL seasons were marred by injury, though he positioned himself for a big pay bump with an injury-free and productive 2023 as he led the Dolphins into the playoffs. He threw for 29 touchdowns and a league-best 4,624 yards last year.

When, or if, he can come back this season is anyone's guess. Tagovailoa was hurt on a fourth-down keeper with about 4:30 left in the third. He went straight ahead into Hamlin and did not slide, leading with his right shoulder instead.

He wound up on his back, both his hands in the air and Bills players immediately pointed at Tagovailoa as if to suggest there was an injury. Dolphins center Aaron Brewer quickly did the same, waving to the sideline.

Tagovailoa appeared to be making a fist with his right hand as he lay on the ground. It was movement consistent with something that is referred to as the “fencing response,” which can be common after a traumatic brain injury

Tagovailoa eventually got to his feet. Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel grabbed the side of his quarterback’s head and gave him a kiss on the cheek as Tagovailoa departed. Skylar Thompson came into the game to take Tagovailoa's spot.

Hamlin was the player who suffered a cardiac arrest after making a tackle during a Monday night game in January 2023 at Cincinnati, causing the NFL to suspend a pivotal game that quickly lost significance in the aftermath of a scary scene that unfolded in front of a national television audience.

Tagovailoa’s history with concussions — and how he has since worked to avoid them — is a huge part of the story of his career, and now comes to the forefront once again.

He had at least two concussions during the 2022 season. He was hurt in a Week 3 game against Buffalo and cleared concussion protocol, though he appeared disoriented on that play but returned to the game.

The NFL later changed its concussion protocol to mandate that if a player shows possible concussion symptoms — including a lack of balance or stability — he must sit out the rest of the game.

Less than a week later, in a Thursday night game at Cincinnati, Tagovailoa was concussed on a scary hit that briefly knocked him unconscious and led to him being taken off the field on a stretcher.

His second known concussion of that season came in a December game against Green Bay, and he didn’t play for the rest of the 2022 season. After that, Tagovailoa began studying ways where he may be able to fall more safely and protect himself against further injury — including studying jiu-jitsu.

AP NFL: http://www.apnews.com/hub/NFL

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) falls in the field after colliding with Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (3) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) collides with Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (3) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Tagovailoa was injured on the play. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) is assisted on the field after suffering a concussion during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) is assisted on the field during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) is assisted on the field during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel talks to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) as he leaves the game after suffering a concussion during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) lies on the field after suffering a concussion during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)