NEW YORK -- New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso hit his 253rd career homer on Tuesday night, breaking the franchise record held by Darryl Strawberry for 37 years.

The 30-year-old Alonso drove a 95.1 mph fastball from Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider just over the wall in right-center for a two-run shot in the third inning. Alonso's 27th homer of the season lifted the Mets to a 5-1 lead.

And he wasn't done there, either.

In the sixth inning, Alonso connected for a solo home run to give New York an 11-5 lead.

After the third-inning shot, the Mets celebrated the accomplishment with a scoreboard graphic with the number 253 alongside pictures of Alonso and polar bears in honor of the slugger's nickname. Alonso embraced Brandon Nimmo , who scored ahead of him, and another

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