New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez broke out of a significant slump by hitting a dramatic walk-off home run against the Baltimore Orioles. The 22-year-old, who had been struggling with a .198 average over his last 33 games, crushed a 421-foot homer off a 3-0 pitch, ending a 15-game homerless streak. Manager Carlos Mendoza had confidence in Alvarez, giving him the green light to swing, which paid off with Alvarez's first career walk-off hit. The Mets, currently in a critical stretch of games against playoff contenders, needed the win to stay competitive in the National League Wild Card race. Alvarez's emotional celebration and his teammates' support highlight his importance to the team despite recent struggles.