It was one helluva winner-take-all Game 3 Wild Card playoff match. The Brewers and their home fans rode a 2-0 lead into the ninth inning, waving yellow rally towels while celebrating what seemed so inevitable: a series ending victory. Meanwhile, the Mets came up to bat facing the ultimate reality. Their amazing 2024 team-of-destiny ride into the playoffs could end here and now.
So, what do they do? Well, they didn't look away or flinch from the moment, that's for sure. As manager of the Brewers stated in his post-game interview about the Mets, "they did what they do." With their lead-off batter walked, and a hit for a single following a swinging strike out, these amazing Mets were right where they expected to be, runners on first and third with one out in the ninth inning. They hadn't scored a run in 15 innings of this now tied series. If they truly were a team of destiny, this was the moment of revelation.
Up comes Mets slugger Pete Alonso, whose bat has been somewhat slumpy of late. The two-time Home Run Derby winner was just looking to make good contact on the ball put it in play. Instead, he blasted a 3-1 changeup pitch 367ft. over the right field wall for a three-run home run. And just like that, the team-of-destiny snatched this series away from the Brew Crew and their fans and never gave it back. Another RBI by Starling Marte three batters later added to the Mets lead, making it 4-2.
With the Brewers and all of Milwaukee shocked by this improbable Mets comeback, their desperation bottom of the ninth inning began with a promising single. The fan cheers were once again being heard loudly and proudly with a runner on base and no outs. But the next batter strikes out and the thick tension returns to the ballpark. Everyone in the place seemed choked-up with emotional anticipation of what would come next.
The end came so fast. One out with a runner on base and the third batter of the inning for the Brewers ready at the plate. It is truly a Casey at the Bat Mudville Moment. The Mets pitcher throws a first pitch 93mph sinker, the Brewers batter swings at the pitch and grounds out into a double-play. Ballgame over!
The Mets win and move on to play the Philadelphia Phillies in a five game Divisional Series. The Brewers, NL Central Division Champions, are eliminated from the playoffs. "There is no joy in Milwaukee!"
Mets win. An instant classic. Steve Cohen, sign Pete Alonso. Mets win 4-2 and advance to face the Phillies in the NLDS. We're only through the wild-card series, baseball fans, and we're already exhausted and happy and sad and frustrated and second-guessing and absolutely joyous. Three more rounds. Let's do it. -- David Schoenfield
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