MILWAUKEE (AP) — Rhys Hoskins hit a grand slam off Sean Manaea in the first inning and the New York Mets’ playoff hopes took a hit Friday night with an 8-4 loss to the NL Central champion Milwaukee Brewers. The Mets, Arizona Diamondbacks and Atlanta Braves are chasing the final two National League wild cards. The Mets and Braves have identical 87-71 records after Atlanta beat the Kansas City Royals 3-0 on Friday.
The Diamondbacks were 88-71 heading into their Friday night game with the San Diego Padres. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza was ejected by plate umpire Ramon De Jesus after arguing a called third strike on Francisco Alvarez that thwarted a rally attempt in the fourth inning. New York’s loss spoiled the return of shortstop Francisco Lindor, who went 2 for 4 and committed an error in his first appearance since Sept.
15. Lindor had played only one inning over the Mets’ past 10 games due to lower back pain. Hoskins’ first-inning drive was his third grand slam and the Brewers’ 10th of the season, both tying franchise records.
The only other Brewers to have three grand slams in a season were John Jaha in 1995, Devon White in 2001 and John Vander Wal in 2003. The only other year the Brewers hit 10 grand slams was in 1995. Milwaukee’s Brice Turang went 3 for 4 with three runs and three steals — increasing his season total to 50.
Gary Sánchez homered. The only other players in franchise history to have at least 50 steals in a season were Tommy Harper (73 in 1969.