Pete Alonso initiated the scoring for the New York Mets against the Philadelphia Phillies with a powerful solo home run off Aaron Nola in the bottom of the second inning during Game 3 of the National League Division Series.
Sean Manaea delivered a stellar performance on the mound, ultimately leading to a 7-2 victory for the Mets. After completing a dominant outing, he took a moment to acknowledge the crowd, dedicating his performance to his late Aunt Mabel, who had passed away earlier that day.
Manaea, 32, pitched deep into the eighth inning, allowing only three hits and two walks while throwing 91 pitches. The only run scored against him occurred after he left the game. His impressive start, coupled with two early home runs and additional runs later on, gave the Mets a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series. The team can eliminate their rivals and secure a spot in the National League Championship Series with a win in Game 4 on Wednesday.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza emphasized the importance of staying focused and preparing for the following game. The Mets had not played at home for 16 days prior to this matchup, which marked their first home game since beating the Phillies on September 22.
A lively sellout crowd welcomed the Mets back to Citi Field, celebrating the franchise’s first divisional round game since 2015. During the game, beloved World War II veteran Seymour Weiner sent a supportive message to the team, and Grimace, the purple McDonald’s mascot, was present as a good luck charm.
Alonso’s home run was a highlight, coming against Nola, a familiar opponent from their college days. Jesse Winker followed by extending the Mets’ lead with a homer of his own, and the team added runs in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings, providing plenty of support for the bullpen after Manaea’s departure.
Despite facing some challenges, including walks to the top of the Phillies’ lineup in the sixth inning, Manaea regrouped and struck out Bryce Harper, signaling a turn in momentum. He continued to execute effectively, ultimately leading to a double play that ended the Phillies’ threat in that inning.
Manaea’s strong performance marked a redemption from two years ago when, while playing for the San Diego Padres, he struggled against the Phillies in the postseason. That difficult experience drove him to seek improvement, and his success in this game is a testament to his growth as a pitcher.