Pete Alonso's three-run home run against Milwaukee Brewers All-Star closer Devin Williams in the ninth inning of Game 3 propelled the New York Mets to a 4-2 victory, securing their advancement in the playoffs.
A Decisive Moment in Mets History
This was the first playoff series win for the Mets since capturing the National League pennant in 2015. The thrilling victory came after a tense and hard-fought game, in which the Mets were trailing 2-0 going into the final inning.
Williams, a two-time National League Reliever of the Year who had already saved Game 2 for the Brewers, appeared to be the key to Milwaukee securing the series. However, the Mets' resilience was evident as they rebounded against one of baseball's most dominant closers.
The rally began with Francisco Lindor, who worked a critical base on balls after an eight-pitch at-bat, setting the stage for the Mets' momentum in the ninth. Brandon Nimmo followed with a hard single on an 0-2 count, moving Lindor to third and putting runners at the corners.
Then, Pete Alonso stepped into the batter's box and delivered what might be the most important hit of his career. With a 3-1 count, Alonso connected on an 86 mph changeup over the right field wall for a home run that put the Mets ahead, sparking euphoria in the New York dugout.
Pete Alonso, Mets Hero
Alonso's heroic home run made him the first player in Major League history to hit a go-ahead home run when his team was trailing in the ninth inning or later of a postseason elimination game.
Alonso's heroics also had possible personal significance. Having played his entire professional career with the Mets, Alonso could become a free agent after the World Series, and this moment could very well be his last at-bat with the team.
If that is the case, his home run will be remembered as a defining moment in both his career and Mets history, keeping the team's season alive in dramatic fashion.
The Mets' victory was a reflection of their 2024 season, in which the team turned around after a slow start. After posting a 22-33 record at the end of May, the Mets posted the best record in baseball from June onward, finally securing a playoff berth with a thrilling 8-7 victory over the Atlanta Braves.
Their ability to win games after trailing in the ninth inning or later, both in their postseason qualification and in this series victory, is unprecedented in MLB history.
Contrast of Emotions
For the Milwaukee Brewers, the loss was devastating. Despite clinching their sixth playoff appearance in seven years, Milwaukee has not won a postseason series since 2018.
The team appeared to be in control after Jake Bauers and Sal Frelick connected back-to-back home runs on consecutive pitches in the seventh inning, breaking a scoreless tie and giving the Brewers a 2-0 lead.
Manager Pat Murphy described the end of the season as "tragic," while players like Frelick expressed disappointment at being so close, only to come up short.
Williams, who had been a key part of the Brewers bullpen, struggled in the ninth inning. After the game, he openly admitted that he was unable to execute his pitches, acknowledging his disappointment with his performance.
The Brewers had held the Mets scoreless for eight innings, thanks in large part to a solid start by rookie right-hander Tobias Myers, who pitched five innings without allowing a run. Jose Quintana matched Myers' performance with six innings without allowing a run, holding the Milwaukee offense in check until his seventh-inning blast.
After Alonso's home run, the Mets added one more run to their lead thanks to an unexpected contribution from Jesse Winker, who had been booed by Brewers fans throughout the series.
Winker was hit by a pitch, stole second base and then scored on Starling Marte's single to right field. Winker's reaction-throwing his helmet to the ground after crossing the plate-underscored the intensity and excitement of the Mets' comeback.
Outstanding Performance
On the pitching side, Edwin Diaz played a key role for the Mets, pitching 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief, earning the victory. David Peterson, who had not made a relief appearance all season, was called upon to close out the game in the ninth.
Peterson, facing his first high-pressure situation of the season, rose to the occasion and earned his first major league save.
The Brewers briefly threatened in the ninth when Frelick connected on a single to open the inning, but their hopes were quickly dashed when Joey Ortiz struck out and Brice Turang hit into a double play grounder to seal the Mets' victory.
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Mets vs. Phillies
With the win, the Mets advance to the National League Divisional Series, where they will face their divisional rivals, the Philadelphia Phillies, in a best-of-five game series. This postseason showdown between the Mets and Phillies will be the first in history, adding an additional layer of excitement to their already fierce rivalry.
During the regular season, the Mets finished with a 6-7 record against the Phillies, falling six games behind them in the National League East standings.
The emotional impact of the game was felt on both sides. Alonso expressed his excitement at being able to extend the Mets' season, describing the playoff experience as "unreal." For the Brewers, on the other hand, the loss left a heavy emotional toll.
Manager Pat Murphy, in particular, struggled to find words to describe his disappointment, while Frelick commented that the team would carry the memory of this game into next season, hoping to learn from this painful defeat.
As the Mets advance in the postseason, they will carry with them the momentum of this dramatic win and the confidence that they can come back from any deficit.
For Alonso, whether or not this is his last moment with the Mets, his heroics will be remembered for years to come, not only by Mets fans, but by all baseball fans who witnessed one of the most thrilling moments in postseason history.
