Pete Alonso’s Ninth-Inning Heroics Propel Mets to NLDS

In a thrilling finish, Pete Alonso delivered a historic, go-ahead three-run home run in the ninth inning, leading the New York Mets to a 4-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in their winner-take-all Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series. This dramatic victory secures the Mets a spot in the National League Divisional Series (NLDS), where they will face their NL East rivals, the Philadelphia Phillies, starting Saturday. This marks the first time the two teams have met in the postseason.

Following the game, an emotional Alonso reflected on his pivotal moment, saying, “I’m just so happy I could come through. It’s just something that you practice in the backyard as a kid, going through those scenarios… words can’t explain. It’s just unreal.” With free agency on the horizon at the end of the season, this may have been a defining moment in Alonso’s Mets career, adding to the stakes of the matchup.

Alonso’s home run off All-Star closer Devin Williams, which just cleared the right-field wall, ignited exuberant celebrations among the Mets fans at American Family Field in Milwaukee. His monumental hit solidified his place in baseball history as the first player to hit a go-ahead homer in the ninth inning or later of a winner-takes-all postseason game.

“It’s that next-pitch mentality,” Alonso told reporters. “Every AB (at bat), every pitch, every inning, I want to do the best I can. I’m focused on that. It’s baseball; it’s a game of failure. Sometimes that’s not the case, but especially in these big games, you’ve got to move onto the next pitch and make a positive impact.”

The game unfolded dramatically. After the Mets took an early lead in Game 1 with an 8-4 win, the Brewers responded by leveling the series with a 5-3 victory in Game 2. As Game 3 progressed, Milwaukee had established a two-run lead in the seventh inning, bolstered by back-to-back home runs from Jake Bauers and Sal Frelick.

Entering the top of the ninth, the Brewers had retired 12 straight Mets batters and allowed only two hits up to that point. With the stage set, Williams was brought in to close out the game, having successfully shut down the Mets in Game 2. However, Alonso’s heroics ensured a different outcome this time.

“I’m just really happy that I was able to execute right there and hit something hard on a pitch I could handle in a big part of the field,” Alonso remarked, reflecting on his game-winning moment.

The Mets’ journey to the playoffs has been filled with ups and downs. At various points in the season, their postseason prospects seemed bleak, particularly when they found themselves trailing the Atlanta Braves in the ninth inning on Monday. However, Francisco Lindor delivered a clutch two-run homer, clinching an 8-7 victory and securing a playoff berth.

New York’s comeback story this year is remarkable, having started the season with a disappointing 22-33 record yet still managing to make the playoffs. This victory over the Brewers marks the first time the Mets have advanced in the postseason since 2015.

David Stearns, the Mets’ president of baseball operations, summed up the significance of the game, stating, “We just saw one of the greatest games in Mets history. It’s a franchise that’s had notable late-inning comebacks in the playoffs, and to be a part of this with this group is really special. There was no way this season was going to end without something happening in that ninth inning.”

As the Mets prepare for their upcoming series against the Phillies, Alonso’s ninth-inning heroics will undoubtedly be a focal point of discussions among fans and analysts alike. The excitement surrounding this match-up reflects not only the team’s determination but also their ability to thrive under pressure.

With a renewed sense of hope and resilience, the Mets are poised to make a deeper run in the postseason, led by stars like Alonso who are eager to leave their mark on October baseball. As they look ahead, the Mets will aim to build on this momentum and capitalize on their historic win, hoping to create more memorable moments in the playoffs.