MILWAUKEE (AP) — Pete Alonso hit a go-ahead, three-run homer off All-Star closer Devin Williams in the ninth inning and the New York Mets beat the Milwaukee Brewers 4-2 on Thursday night to win their NL Wild Card Series. With their latest thrilling comeback in the decisive Game 3 against Milwaukee, the Mets advanced in the playoffs for the first time since winning the 2015 National League pennant. They moved on to a best-of-five Division Series beginning Saturday in Philadelphia against the NL East champion Phillies.
It will be the first postseason meeting between the heated rivals. “This has been unreal. What a ride,” Alonso said.
“I’m just excited to help keep this team alive.” The NL Central champion Brewers, making their sixth playoff appearance in seven years, still haven’t won a postseason series since reaching Game 7 of the 2018 National League Championship Series. This loss will be particularly painful.
“I love this team,” manager Pat Murphy said. “I love them. I’ll never be able to duplicate 2024.
It didn’t end the way we wanted to. It ended tragically, actually.” Milwaukee appeared to have the victory in hand after pinch-hitter Jake Bauers and Sal Frelick broke a scoreless tie by opening the seventh inning with back-to-back homers on consecutive pitches from Jose Buttó.
Rookie right-hander Tobias Myers and three Brewers relievers combined on a two-hit shutout through the first eight innings. In fact, 12 straight Mets had been retired when.
