The National League Division Series ended Wednesday night with a mixture of joy and fear.
That joy came from the New York Mets, who took cues from their feisty second baseman for months and went on a wild and hilarious run through the pennant chase and playoffs.
That fear came from the Philadelphia Phillies, the National League East champions who won 95 games but struggled against their division rivals in the National League.
And they were finally rescued from that dire situation by a stroke from Francisco Lindor.
His sixth inning grand slam erased a one-point deficit, leading the Mets to a 4-1 victory and a 3-1 NLDS victory over their rivals, a stunning turnaround in a season that seemed doomed.
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Lindor’s outburst came with one out in the sixth inning off Phillies closer Carlos Estevez. His strong presence early in the game showed the team’s desperation. The seeds of Philadelphia’s disaster were caused by setup man Jeff Hoffman, who gave up a single, struck out a batter, walked another, and threw two wild pitches, causing Philadelphia manager Rob Thomson to He urged Estevez to be summoned.
He loaded the bases once and then Lindor drove a 99 mph fastball into the right field seats, completing a trilogy of incredible late-inning long balls that got the Mets here.
The first one was by Lindor, who hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning of Game 161 against Atlanta, giving New York its first berth in the postseason derby.
The second run came from Pete Alonso, who hit a one-out, three-run homer in Game 3 of the winner-take-all National League Wild Card Series, erasing Milwaukee’s two-run lead and sending New York into the National League. made him jump.
Lindor provided the coda, ending a frustrating few innings for the Mets. The Mets loaded the bases twice against Phillies starter Ranger Suarez, but nothing happened.
The Mets will advance to the NL Championship Series for the first time since 2015 and will face the winner of the NL CS game between San Diego and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The details for Wednesday’s Game 4 are as follows:
Final: Mets 4, Phillies 1
Edwin Diaz walked the first two batters of the ninth inning, giving the Phillies three chances to tie the game, but the Mets struck out closer Cody Clemens and struck out Brandon Marsh. He then struck out Kyle Schwarber to end the game and put New York back on track. N.L.C.S.
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David Peterson sends Mets to 9th place
David Peterson showed off some great relief pitching, pitching 2 1/3 scoreless innings and giving the Mets the lead going into the 9th inning. Peterson reached base with two outs in the sixth inning, retired Bryson Stott in a big spot, and Francisco Lindor hit a go-ahead grand slam at the bottom of the frame to seal the victory.
Mets lead 4-1 and move into 8th place
The Mets almost extended their lead when Phillies relief pitcher Orion Kirkeling put a runner on the corner with no man out, but the rookie right-hander struck out J.D. Martinez and Starling Marte before hitting Tyrone. He struck out Taylor on a fly ball to end the inning.
The Mets are six outs away from their first NLCS trip since 2015.
Mets take first on Francisco Lindor’s grand slam
The Mets had the bases loaded (again) with no outs, but Francisco Lindor hit a bases-loaded homer to right-center field against Phillies relief pitcher Carlos Estevez, eventually scoring home.
It was the first postseason grand slam for the Mets since Edgardo Alfonzo in the 1999 NLDS against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Mets escapes from predicament with 6th place
In the top of the sixth inning, starter Jose Quintana was ejected for allowing a lead-off double to Bryce Harper, and Reid Garrett came out of the bullpen. The right-handed pitcher struck out Nick Castellanos and walked Alec Bohm, then struck out JT Realmuto for two outs. Left-hander David Peterson came on and grounded out Bryson Stott, sending him into the bottom of the sixth inning.
Phillies escape again, still leading 1-0
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Francisco Lindor led off with a double and Mark Vientos reached base with a walk, but Ranger Suarez got another big strikeout before Jeff Hoffman led off. Philadelphia’s All-Star relief pitcher struck out Pete Alonso and forced Jose Iglesias to fly out to end the frame.
The Mets were scoreless on 10 at-bats with runners in scoring position.
Phillies take the lead in the 4th inning
After Bryce Harper issued a walk and Nick Castellanos hit a double over left, Alec Bohm scored on a fielder’s choice and an error by Mets third baseman Mark Vientos.
Quintana got the next two outs to avoid further damage, and the Phillies took a 1-0 lead entering the bottom of the fourth inning.
Mets waste second chance
Ranger Suarez survived the second consecutive inning with the bases loaded and grounded out Brandon Nimmo to first base to end the threat.
Suarez led off by giving up a walk to Starling Marte, but then allowed a single to Tyrone Taylor, putting him on second base with no outs. The southpaw Suarez struck out Francisco Lindor and Francisco Lindor, but Mark Vientos’ infield hit loaded the bases, and Suarez ultimately won the two-out battle against Nimmo.
Ranger Suarez escapes first-time predicament
The Mets loaded the bases with one out on Ranger Suarez’s Mark Vientos double, Brandon Nimmo’s walk, and Pete Alonso’s infield hit, but the Phillies’ left-hander struck out Jose Iglesias and J.D. Martinez. He escaped unharmed.
Iglesias played in six of his eight career games against Suarez on Wednesday.
Game 4 is underway at Citi Field
Mets starter Jose Quintana struck out Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper in the top of the first inning to set the Phillies up 1-2-3.
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Phillies batting order for Game 4 of the NLDS
Kyle Schwarber (left) DHT Rhea Turner (right) SS Bryce Harper (left) 1B Nick Castellanos (right) RFA Lec Bohm (right) 3BJ.T. Realmuto (R) CB Ryson Stott (left) ) 2B Weston Wilson (R) LF Brandon Marsh (left) CF
Today’s Mets lineup: NLDS Game 4
Francisco Lindor (S) SS Mark Vientos (R) 3B Brandon Nimmo (Left) LF Pete Alonso (R) 1B Jose Iglesias (R) 2B J.D. Martinez (R) DH Sterling Marte (R) RFT Taillon Taylor (R) CF Francisco Alvarez (R) C
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