NEW YORK -- The past two weeks presented the Mets with one of the toughest stretches of their schedule, a 13-game gauntlet against the Phillies, Braves and Yankees that resulted in a 6-7 record.

When they took the field Thursday night, it marked a breather of sorts, kicking off a 23-game stretch during which the Mets will play 20 games against teams below .500.

Jacob deGrom got the Mets started on the right foot, firing six strong innings in a 3-1 win over the Rockies at Citi Field. Pete Alonso belted his 31st home run of the season as part of a three-run third inning for the Mets, who became the third team in the Majors to reach the 80-win mark.

“I think it's important to win every game; whether you play the Yankees or the Rockies or the Phillies, it doesn't matter,” Alonso said. “We need to do our job every single day, execute a plan, come up and play together as a team. We did a really good job of that tonight.”

The win pushed the Mets’ lead in the National League East back to two games over the idle Braves.

Francisco Lindor’s RBI groundout gave the Mets a 1-0 lead in the third, then Alonso -- who had a .616 OPS and just one home run in his past 20 games -- drilled a two-run homer off starter Ryan Feltner, giving deGrom a comfortable three-run cushion.

“Pete has spoiled us at such a high level that when he has a period where he's not doing the things that we know he's capable of, he takes on the microscope,” manager Buck Showalter said. “He feels awful when he doesn’t always deliver -- and it's hard to do so. I think everybody felt good for him tonight because I know how much it means to him to contribute every night.”

deGrom did the rest, allowing one run on three hits and a walk, striking out nine to improve to 3-1 with a 2.15 ERA in five starts since making his season debut on Aug. 2.

“Jake was great,” Alonso said. “Shocker.”

The right-hander retired the first 13 batters he faced before giving up a pair of hits in the fifth, but deGrom -- who was pitching for the first time in a week -- leaned on his slider to help escape the jam.

“Sometimes when guys get a little extra rest, they aren't quite as crisp or command-wise, but he was the difference in the game for us,” Showalter said. “The start he gave us was solid.”

The lone mistake came on Ryan McMahon’s solo homer in the sixth, but deGrom got through the frame without any further damage. Although deGrom actually threw eight fewer pitches (87) than he did in last week’s 95-pitch outing against the Braves, he is confident that his next start could be his first to cross the 100-pitch threshold.

The Mets host the Rockies through the weekend, then welcome the high-powered Dodgers to Citi Field for three games. After that, New York will see a steady diet of sub-.500 teams, playing 16 straight against the Nationals, Pirates, Marlins and Cubs.

Alonso pointed to the mental fortitude needed to take the same approach into every game regardless of the opponent and the win-loss record next to their name in the standings.

“I feel like our group is extremely mentally tough and we didn't fall in the trap, so to speak,” Alonso said. “Everyone on that [Rockies] roster is a big leaguer; they have extreme talent on that roster. You can't take anyone for granted; this is the highest level. Every opponent should have your respect.”

Although the 54-72 Rockies won’t be confused for the Braves, Phillies or Yankees any time soon, Showalter didn’t want to hear anything about a soft spot in the Mets’ schedule. In fact, the manager argued that these games can be more stressful in some ways. 

“Sometimes these games have as much, if not more pressure,” Showalter said. “I think people don't realize the pressure involved every night when expectations are [high]; they've created great expectations by the way they’ve played, and I’m proud of them.”