The narrative of the New York Mets’ 2024 season is far from over. It made sense that Pete Alonso would contribute to the continuation of an enduring story.
In a crucial Game 3 of the National League wild-card series, the Mets’ tank seemed to read “empty” following a season full of victories, thrills, and resiliency.
Alonso made sure that his probable last game wearing a Mets uniform would not take place in Milwaukee, where he would be an unrestricted free agency after 2024.
On Thursday night at American Family Field, the Mets emerged victorious in the National League Wild Card Series 4-2, thanks to an incredible home shot by Alonso off Brewers closer Devin Williams in the ninth inning, after an ineffective eight innings.
“It’s just something that you practice in the backyard as a kid,” Alonso stated. “You go through those scenarios as a little kid. It’s like, ‘All right, you’re in the playoffs down by a few runs.’ I don’t know. Words can’t explain. It’s just unreal.”
The Mets will now play the Phillies in the National League Division Series, which will be their first trip back since they advanced to the World Series in 2015.
Alonso’s long ball, which just missed the right field wall, was the Mets’ first home run since last Monday, when Francisco Lindor—who is using champagne and adrenaline as the best pain reliever for his injured back—thrashed the Braves’ Raisel Iglesias for a two-run shot in the ninth inning to send the Mets into the postseason.
For Alonso, it was the most memorable moment of his career and will endure for a very long time in Mets history.
“At the end of the day, if Pete does this in the postseason, he’s going to get paid,” Lindor stated. “Let Pete do his thing. Like Mendy said, he’s one swing away from taking off and he’s one of the best power hitters in the game. I’m just proud of him. He came in early and hit early outside and was just ready. He was ready for the moment.”
Jose Quintana, the starter, had a terrific six innings before two pitches almost brought the Mets’ season to pieces.
The seventh inning began with reliever Jose Butto trying to bury a changeup against Jake Bauers on a full-count. He was penalized by the Brewers’ pinch hitter who tagged a game-winning solo home drive to right field.
Sal Frelick threw a first-pitch fastball into the second deck in right field on the very next pitch.
The Mets salvaged at least one more week of play with a wild comeback in the ninth inning, sparked by walks to Lindor and Brandon Nimmo. In the eighth, Starling Marte scored an RBI single to right field to give them one more run.
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After eight difficult innings, the Mets are still in it
The Mets and Brewers were only able to produce two hits during the first seven innings. Off Brewers starter Tobias Myers, Lindor provided both.
After Alonso’s fly ball and two consecutive strikeouts, Lindor was left stranded in center field after he legged out a double on a crisp line shot. Then, in the fourth, Lindor reached on a wild pitch after hitting a two-out single, but Frelick caught Mark Vientos’ deep fly ball to right.
The Mets got 12 straight outs against Myers, Trevor Megill, Nick Mears, and Freddy Peralta between the fifth and seventh innings following a pitch hit that struck Jesse Winker.
Williams had thrown 12 pitches against the top of the Mets lineup in the Brewers’ 4-3 victory on Wednesday, but the Mets’ problems forced the top of the order to bat in the ninth inning against him.
They went one round farther in the wild-card series thanks to Alonso’s second hit in nine at-bats.
