PHILADELPHIA -- When the New York Mets begin their National League Division Series on Saturday afternoon against the Philadelphia Phillies, they will hope to author another chapter in what is fast becoming a storybook season. The Mets advanced to the NLDS when Pete Alonso keyed a four-run rally in the ninth inning Thursday night by slugging an opposite-field three-run homer, lifting New York to a 4-2 victory over host Milwaukee in Game 3 of the teams' wild-card series. "You go through those scenarios as a little kid," Alonso said.
"It's like, ‘Alright, you're in the playoffs, you're down by two runs.' I don't know. Words can't explain it.
" The Mets managed just two hits in the first eight innings and entered the ninth in a 2-0 hole. But Francisco Lindor coaxed a leadoff walk from Brewers closer Devin Williams, and one out later Brandon Nimmo grounded a single through the middle. That set the stage for Alonso, who since Sept.
19 was in a 5-for-41 slump and had not managed an extra-base hit. The right-handed slugger worked the count to 3-1, then lined Williams' changeup over the right field fence to give the Mets the lead. Later in the inning, Starling Marte singled home Jesse Winker, accounting for the final margin.
It was the latest bit of heroics by the Mets, who qualified for the postseason by beating Atlanta 8-7 in the first game of a doubleheader Monday on Lindor's two-run ninth-inning homer. They used a five-run fifth inning to beat Milwaukee in Game 1 of their series,.