Pete Alonso put the Mets ahead early against the Phillies with a long solo home run off Aaron Nola during the bottom of the second inning.
NEW YORK — After delivering an outstanding performance on Tuesday, Sean Manaea received a warm ovation from the crowd as he exited the game, yet his thoughts were elsewhere. With a heavy heart, he shared the news of his Aunt Mabel’s passing, dedicating the victory to her.
Manaea achieved what can be described as the best outing of his major league career, leading the Mets to a 7-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3 of the National League Division Series. The 32-year-old left-hander pitched into the eighth inning, providing crucial length that helped relieve a strained bullpen. He held the Phillies, a team well-versed in postseason pressure, to just three hits and two walks, throwing 91 pitches. The only run he surrendered came after he left the game.
With this win, the Mets took a 2-1 series lead in the best-of-five matchup and now have a chance to eliminate their division rivals and secure a spot in the National League Championship Series with a win in Game 4 on Wednesday.
“We’ve got to stay humble,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza emphasized. “We’ve got to come back tomorrow, prepare, and execute. We’ll see what happens.”
Tuesday marked the Mets’ first home game in 16 days, having previously played on the road. The team returned to Citi Field for the franchise’s first divisional round game since 2015, greeted by a lively sellout crowd. World War II veteran Seymour Weiner sent a message of support to the team, while Grimace, the McDonald’s mascot, added to the excitement by attending the game holding a pumpkin, inspired by Alonso.
The crowd erupted when Alonso hit a first-pitch fastball from Nola for a solo homer to right field in the second inning, marking his third postseason home run and a notable shift from his regular-season performance where most of his 34 home runs went to left.
“I’m just trying to hit the ball where it’s pitched,” Alonso commented.
Jesse Winker increased the Mets’ lead, launching another homer off Nola, while New York added additional runs in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings to secure a comfortable margin after Manaea’s departure.
Manaea’s performance wasn’t without challenges. In the sixth inning, he allowed two walks at the beginning of the inning, putting pressure on manager Mendoza regarding whether to remove him before facing two-time MVP Bryce Harper. However, Manaea struck out Harper with a series of well-placed pitches, persuading Mendoza to keep him in the game.
“Once he got Harper, I thought he had momentum back,” Mendoza said.
Manaea maintained the pressure, taking control to force a game-changing double play, much to the delight of the roaring crowd.
“His mound presence was different today,” Mendoza remarked. “I’m just proud of him.”
This outing marked a redemption for Manaea, who faced struggles two years ago when the Phillies scored heavily against him while he was with the Padres. Reflecting on the past, he described that moment as rock bottom, but on this day, he achieved a personal peak, creating memories he will cherish.