In a remarkable major league debut, Jonah Tong allowed just one earned run over five innings as the New York Mets defeated the Miami Marlins 19-9 on Friday night. The Mets’ offense erupted for six home runs, setting a new franchise record for runs scored in a home game.
The 22-year-old Canadian right-hander, who received a standing ovation from the sellout crowd of 42,112, struck out six batters without issuing a walk. Utilizing an over-the-top delivery that has drawn comparisons to Tim Lincecum, Tong threw 63 of his 97 pitches for strikes.
The Mets provided Tong with immediate and overwhelming run support, jumping out to a 12-0 lead after just two innings. The scoring barrage began in the first when Juan Soto hit a two-run homer and Brandon Nimmo followed with a three-run shot before an out was recorded. Pete Alonso added a two-run home run in the second.
Nimmo hit his second home run of the night, a solo shot, in the sixth. The Mets capped their scoring in a six-run eighth inning, which included a home run by Mark Vientos and a three-run blast from Luis Torrens off infielder Javier Sanoja.
Tong’s only difficult inning was the fifth, where a pair of defensive errors by Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso led to four Marlins runs. He concluded his debut by striking out Liam Hicks on a 95 mph fastball to end the frame.
The victory was the Mets’ ninth in their last 13 games.
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