MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers couldn’t have set things up any better for themselves as they headed into the ninth inning of the deciding game in their NL Wild Card Series. They owned a 2-0 lead over the New York Mets. They had retired 12 consecutive Mets batters.
And they had two-time NL reliever of the year Devin Williams coming out of the bullpen. Then everything fell apart in stunningly swift fashion. Williams, who had allowed just three runs all year, gave up four in the ninth inning of a 4-2 loss that ended the Brewers’ season.
Pete Alonso’s three-run homer off the All-Star closer put the Mets ahead for good. “We worked all year to get to this point,” Williams said. “They got me a two-run lead there in the ninth.
That’s how we draw it up. And I couldn’t come through for the boys. No one feels worse than I do.
” One night after Williams retired the side in order to save a 5-3 victory in Game 2, it quickly became apparent he wasn’t his usual self. He walked Francisco Lindor on a full-count pitch leading off the ninth. After striking out Mark Vientos, the right-hander gave up a single to Brandon Nimmo on an 0-2 changeup that put runners at the corners.
“He’s one of the best relievers in the game,” Nimmo said. “He has an unbelievable changeup and great fastball, and he locates well. Honestly, you’re trying to be short and you’re trying to find the barrel however you can.
” That brought Alonso to the plate. Williams fell behind 3-1 i.