National League Wild Card Series
Pete Alonso sends New York Mets to NLDS with dramatic ninth-inning homer
Alonso's blast was the first ever by a Met while trailing in the 9th inning or later of a winner-take-all.
In a thrilling conclusion to their National League Wild Card Series, the New York Mets defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 4-2, thanks to a dramatic ninth-inning home run by Pete Alonso. This victory propels the Mets into the National League Division Series (NLDS) against the Philadelphia Phillies, marking their first playoff series win since 2015.
The game, held at American Family Field in Milwaukee, was a tense showdown with both teams striving for a spot in the NLDS. The Brewers initially seemed poised to win after Jake Bauers and Sal Frelick hit back-to-back home runs in the seventh inning, giving Milwaukee a 2-0 lead. The Mets' offense had been largely stifled by Brewers starter Tobias Myers and a series of relievers, who combined to keep New York scoreless through eight innings.
However, the Mets' fortunes changed dramatically in the ninth inning. Francisco Lindor began the rally with a walk against Brewers closer Devin Williams. After Mark Vientos struck out, Brandon Nimmo singled, advancing Lindor to third base. This set the stage for Pete Alonso, who had been struggling with his performance leading up to this game. With a count of 3-1, Alonso smashed an opposite-field three-run homer off Williams, turning a two-run deficit into a one-run lead for the Mets.
Alonso's home run was not only pivotal for the game but also historic. He became the first player in Major League Baseball history to hit a go-ahead homer while trailing in the ninth inning or later of a winner-take-all postseason game. This moment was particularly significant for Alonso, who had been in a slump with no home runs since September 19 and was facing potential free agency after the season.
Following Alonso's heroics, Jesse Winker extended the Mets' lead by scoring on Starling Marte's RBI single after being hit by a pitch and stealing second base. The Brewers attempted a last-minute comeback in their half of the ninth inning when Sal Frelick singled. However, Mets reliever David Peterson secured the victory by inducing a double play to end the game.
The victory was not just about individual brilliance but also showcased strong team resilience. Mets starter José Quintana delivered an impressive performance, pitching six scoreless innings before being relieved. Edwin Díaz provided crucial relief pitching in the eighth inning, setting up Peterson's save opportunity.
The win against Milwaukee marks an important milestone for the Mets as they advance to face their division rivals, the Philadelphia Phillies, in what will be their first postseason meeting despite over 1,000 regular-season matchups since 1962. The Mets had a challenging regular season against the Phillies, finishing with a 6-7 record and trailing them by six games in the standings.
For Milwaukee, this loss extends their postseason drought; they have not won a playoff series since reaching Game 7 of the NL Championship Series in 2018. Despite making six playoff appearances in seven years, this defeat will be particularly disappointing given how close they came to victory.
As the Mets prepare for their NLDS clash with Philadelphia, Pete Alonso's ninth-inning heroics will be remembered as a defining moment of their postseason journey. Whether this momentum can carry them further remains to be seen, but history suggests that teams eliminating Milwaukee often make deep playoff runs. The upcoming series promises to be an exciting chapter in one of baseball's storied rivalries.