Mets Advance to Division Series with Thrilling Ninth-Inning Comeback

The New York Mets emerged victorious in a dramatic fashion on Thursday night, defeating the Milwaukee Brewers 3-2 in the decisive Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series. This victory, clinched by a late-game comeback, advances the Mets to the division series for the first time since they won the National League pennant in 2015. The Mets will face off against their division rivals, the Philadelphia Phillies, in a best-of-five series starting Saturday.

In what was a tense game, the Brewers seemed poised to take the series after breaking a scoreless tie in the seventh inning with back-to-back home runs. However, the Mets turned the tables in the ninth inning. Pete Alonso, a powerhouse known for his clutch hitting, hammered a go-ahead three-run homer off Milwaukee’s closer, Devin Williams, giving the Mets a 3-2 lead. “This has been unreal. What a ride,” Alonso remarked, expressing his excitement at keeping the Mets’ playoff run alive.

The Brewers, who have now faced postseason disappointment for consecutive years since their National League Championship Series appearance in 2018, were left reeling from the loss. Manager Pat Murphy voiced his heartbreak, stating, “I love this team… It didn’t end the way we wanted it to. It ended tragically, actually.”

The pitching duel between Milwaukee’s Adrian Myres and New York’s Jose Quintana set a tense stage early in the game, with both keeping the score 0-0 through the majority of the match. As the ninth inning opened, Williams, a stalwart in the Brewers’ bullpen and a two-time National League reliever of the year, was entrusted to close out the win. However, a series of missteps, including walking the leadoff batter and a single putting runners on the corners, set up Alonso’s heroic moment.

Alonso’s home run, his first since September 19, was particularly momentous as it marked his potential farewell performance with the Mets should they have been eliminated. “I know Devin has great stuff,” Alonso commented on facing his former teammate from the World Baseball Classic. Alonso’s blast was historical, making him the first player to hit a go-ahead homer in a winner-take-all postseason game when trailing in the ninth inning or later, according to ESPN Research.

Following the homer, the Mets continued to add pressure. With two outs, a hit-by-pitch allowed another runner to get on base, who then stole second and scored on a subsequent single. The Brewers’ last attempt to rally ended quickly as a double play sealed the game for the Mets. Relief pitcher Drew Smith was credited with the win, solidifying the team’s triumph.

New York’s resilient spirit and never-give-up attitude were key themes discussed among the team members post-game. Brandon Nimmo praised the team’s perseverance, stating, “It’s just the makeup of this team of just never giving up, never listening to the outside noise.” As the Mets prepare to face the Phillies, this historic win serves as a testament to their resilience and determination throughout the season.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.