Tong pitches 5 memorable innings in anticipated Mets debut, earns another start
New York Mets pitcher Jonah Tong throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, in New York. Credit: AP/Pamela Smith
NEW YORK — Jonah Tong walked in from the bullpen to a loud ovation and took the mound to another boisterous reaction from the sellout crowd.
Tong threw six pitches in three minutes and then sat for about 25 minutes. The 22-year-old Canadian threw 20 more in the second inning and his break lasted slightly longer.
In his anticipated debut, Tong completed his first five innings as a major leaguer on a Friday night when the Mets set a team record for runs in a home game and earned another start in New York’s six-man rotation in the midst of a playoff race.
“Insane, that’s everything I’ve ever dreamed of as a kid growing up,” Tong said. ”
The Mets hit two of their six homers in a five-run first inning, added another in a 28-minute seven-run second when they sent 11 to the plate en route to a 19-9 victory over the Marlins.
“He was very good,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “It was kind of a like a weird game.”
Tong got three outs in the air in the first, then Juan Soto hit a two-run homer and Brandon Nimmo belted a three-run drive in the bottom of the inning.
New York Mets pitcher Jonah Tong reacts after striking out Miami Marlins' Liam Hicks during the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, in New York. Credit: AP/Pamela Smith
“I’m never going to complain about run support and that was insane but I just made pitches on my part,” Tong said.
With the sellout crowd of 42,112 fans seemingly willing him to the finish, he got a called third strike on Liam Hicks with a 95 mph fastball.
“I couldn’t really feel my feet, but everything I ever dreamed of,” Tong said.
Tong got six strikeouts with a drastic over-the-top delivery. He threw 97 pitches and showcased 59 fastballs that averaged 95.4 mph.
New York Mets pitcher Jonah Tong throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, in New York. Credit: AP/Pamela Smith
The memorable debut occurred with his parents, grandfather, aunt, uncle and agent and girlfriend in the crowd along with his first professional pitching coach Garrett Baker.
Tong was 8-5 with a 1.59 ERA and 162 strikeouts against 44 walks in 20 starts spanning 102 innings at Double-A Binghamton. He was promoted to Triple-A Syracuse on Aug. 11 and was 2-0 with 17 strikeouts and three walks in 11 2/3 scoreless innings.
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