Pete Alonso experienced a pivotal moment in what could have been his last game as a New York Met. After a challenging night, Alonso turned things around with a crucial three-run home run off Brewers closer Devin Williams in the ninth inning, leading the Mets to a 4-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in the decisive third game of their NL Wild Card Series.
This achievement marked Alonso as the first player in Major League Baseball history to hit a go-ahead home run while his team was trailing in the ninth inning or later of a winner-take-all playoff game, according to OptaSTATS.
Reflecting on his performance, Alonso expressed the joy of fulfilling a childhood dream: “You practice in the backyard as a kid… Words can’t explain. This is just unreal.” With this win, Alonso and the Mets are set to advance to a best-of-five Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies starting on Saturday.
The game took a tense turn when the Brewers, powered by back-to-back homers from pinch-hitter Jake Bauers and Sal Frelick, took a 2-0 lead in the seventh inning. They threatened to extend that lead with runners on second and third and two outs. However, Alonso missed a foul pop from William Contreras that could have ended the inning, giving the catcher another opportunity. Fortunately for the Mets, Edwin Díaz struck out Contreras, keeping them in the game.
In the ninth inning, trailing 2-0, Alonso came to bat with a chance to turn the game around. Francisco Lindor had started the rally with a walk, and Brandon Nimmo followed with a single, placing the tying run on base. Alonso, who has hit 226 home runs in his six years with the Mets, including a record 53 as a rookie in 2019, had been struggling and had not recorded an extra-base hit since September 19.
Teammate Brandon Nimmo noted that despite his recent struggles, Alonso was “just one swing from turning it around.” The pressure was palpable as Alonso approached the plate, aware that this could be his final opportunity in a Mets uniform. “And now it’s not because he did what big Pete does,” Nimmo remarked.
Alonso delivered an impressive opposite-field homer on a 3-1 changeup from Williams, a two-time NL reliever of the year. After hitting the ball, Alonso instinctively knew it was a home run. He celebrated as he rounded the bases, showcasing his joy with a “chef’s kiss” gesture.
The Mets added an insurance run and secured their victory in the bottom of the ninth, culminating a thrilling game for the team. Nimmo conveyed the emotional weight of Alonso’s struggle, emphasizing the relief that came with his clutch performance at such a critical moment.
During the post-game celebration, Alonso was gifted a small pumpkin, which he dubbed his “playoff pumpkin,” a token from his visit to a farm outside Milwaukee last weekend. He cleverly noted, “Nothing’s more fall than playoff baseball and pumpkins.”
With his game-changing home run, the Mets are now one step closer to potentially extending their season well into October.