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MLB Playoffs: Pete Alonso's 3-run home run leads Mets to comeback in 3rd NL Wild Card Series win over Brewers

Jake Bauers' narrow home run for the Milwaukee Brewers broke a scoreless tie in the seventh inning against the New York Mets in Game 3 of their National League wild-card playoff series. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

The New York Mets scored 11 runs in the first two games of their National League wild card playoff series with the Milwaukee Brewers. But their bats stayed quiet for eight innings in the decisive Game 3.

However, the lineup came to life in the ninth against Brewers closer Devin Williams. Williams walked Francisco Lindor to lead off the inning. He moved to third on a single by Brandon Nimmo. Then, at 86 mph, Williams switched to Pete Alonso, who didn't miss his throw.

Williams continued his miserable ninth by hitting Jesse Winker with a pitch. Winker then stole second base to put himself in scoring position, and Starling Marte brought him home with a double to give the Mets another run for a 4-2 lead.

As he should have been, Winker was extremely motivated to score his run. He may have broken his batting helmet and damaged it after crossing home plate. But Winker knew how big this run was. With their 4-2 win, the Mets advance to the NL Division Series and face the Philadelphia Phillies.

David Peterson rounded out the Mets' win by leading Brice Turang into a game-winning double play after giving up a leadoff single to Sal Frelick. Fittingly, the double play was turned by Lindor, who was the Mets' only offense until Nimmo and Alonso became heroes in the ninth inning.

Milwaukee's hitters didn't make much noise in the sixth inning either, but they finally turned up the volume in the seventh inning.

Jake Bauers led off the inning with a tight home run off Mets reliever José Buttó and pushed an 89 mph changeup across the plate to the seats in right field.

On the very next pitch, Frelick smashed a 96 mph fastball deep and out of the park to give Milwaukee a 2-0 lead.

Tobias Myers got off to an excellent start for Milwaukee, allowing no runs and two hits (both by Lindor) over five innings. He struck out five Mets batters in 66 pitches with no walks.

Combined with last Saturday's relief appearance, Myers threw nine scoreless innings against the Mets with just three hits allowed and 10 strikeouts.

But the Mets' lineup also had nothing for the Brewers' bullpen. Three Milwaukee relievers – including Game 1 starter Freddy Peralta, who threw 68 pitches in the series opener – allowed no runs and no hits over the next three innings.

Veteran Jose Quintana pitched almost as well for the Mets, allowing four hits in six scoreless innings with five strikeouts and one walk. He threw 94 pitches and finished the sixth inning confidently, striking out Willy Adames and Gary Sánchez.

Edwin Díaz and Peterson gave the Mets a chance to rebound by pitching 2 2/3 scoreless innings after Butto gave up two runs. Diaz had two walks in his 1 2/3 frames but struck out three batters.

The Mets defeated the NL East Division rival Phillies 6-7 during the regular season. Before we point out that record, keep in mind that New York went 1-5 against the Brewers. Game 1 of their NLDS is scheduled for Saturday at 4:08 p.m. ET at Citizens Bank Park.

Here's how the thrilling Game 3 of the NL Wild Card Playoff Series – the only one of the wild card round – played out on Yahoo Sports' live blog after following the action.

Live30 updates

  • The Empire State Building is lit up for the Mets

    It's blue and orange on the Empire State Building to celebrate the Mets' playoff series win.

  • FINAL: Mets 4, Brewers 2

    Brice Turang makes a double play and that's it. The Mets win a thriller with a three-run home run from Pete Alonso. They face the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS.

  • Sal Frelick starts with a single

    Frelick watched Pete Alonso's home run fly over the fence, but he opened the bottom of the ninth with a leadoff single. The crowd at American Family Field is full of energy again. Ryne Stanek is now warming up for the Mets.

  • David Peterson comes in for the Mets with a 2-run lead

    The Brewers finally end the top of the ninth and will need two runs in the bottom of the ninth. David Peterson closes out the game after Edwin Diaz throws 39 pitches in 1 2/3 innings.

  • The Mets added another run in the bottom of the ninth

    Things get even worse for the Brewers. Jesse Winker reached base with an HBP, stole second and then scored an insurance run on a Starling Marte single. Winker was so pumped up at home plate that he broke his helmet.

  • Pete Alonso gives the Mets the lead!

    For eight innings, the Mets' bats were quiet. But against Brewers closer Devin Williams, they came to life. After Williams struck out Francisco Lindor and gave up a single to Brandon Nimmo, Pete Alonso put the Mets ahead with a three-run home run.

  • Mets can't answer in the 8th

    The Mets had to answer in the top of the eighth after giving up two runs. But Freddy Peralta defeated them 1-2-3, eliminating Starling Marte, Tyrone Taylor and Francisco Alvarez in 13 shots.

    By the way, Peralta threw 68 throws at the start of the first game.

  • Edwin Diaz comes in to keep the Brewers at bay

    Mets manager Carlos Mendoza brought closer Edwin Diaz in the seventh after Jose Butto hit back-to-back home runs. With the Mets hitting so poorly, Mendoza knew he couldn't afford to give up any more runs.

    Diaz accompanied Brice Turang at the beginning of his excursion. And Turang reached second with a stolen base, threatening the Brewers with more runs. Diaz picked off Jackson Chourio before passing Blake Perkins, who then stole second while Turang stole third. But the Mets' closer struck out William Contreras to hold Milwaukee to two runs for the inning.

    Brewers 2, Mets 0 goes to the 8th inning.

  • Back-to-back home runs for the Brewers

    Pinch-hitter Jake Bauers leads off the 7th inning with a home run off reliever Jose Butto. And Sal Frelick followed up with a home run of his own on the next pitch, giving Milwaukee a 2-0 lead.

    Butto had an outstanding regular season for the Mets, striking out 79 batters in 74 innings. But he delivered two home runs at the worst possible time.

  • Nick Mears throws a 1-2-3 in the 7th inning

    The Mets' bats continue to remain quiet. Nick Mears retired all three batters he faced, striking out Pete Alonso and Jesse Winker in the 7th inning.

    New York has two goals in the game so far.

  • Jose Quintana pitched 6 scoreless innings

    Jose Quintana ended the 6th inning 1-2-3, striking out Willy Adames and Gary Sanchez. The veteran was thrilled after getting Sanchez to end the inning and miss.

    Nick Mears is in action for the Brewers to pitch the 7th inning.

  • Polish sausage wins the sausage race at American Family Field

    Judging by how excited the Brewers were to cheer on the Sausages, they were a loose bunch heading into the bottom of the 6th inning in Milwaukee.

  • After 5 innings: Mets 0, Brewers 0

    Jackson Chourio drew a two-out walk in the 5th inning and moved into scoring position with a stolen base. But he was stranded when Blake Perkins moved out to shortstop.

    We're still scoreless after 5 innings in Milwaukee.

    Trevor Magill (2.72 ERA, 50 strikeouts in 46 1/3 innings) will pitch for the Brewers.

  • Tobias Myers, ready for tonight

    Handshakes and hugs in the Brewers dugout indicate Tobias Myers is ready for Game 3.

    He had an outstanding performance, allowing only 2 hits in 5 innings with 5 strikeouts and no walks. Myers threw 66 pitches, which may raise eyebrows among Brewers fans wondering why manager Pat Murphy is shutting him down.

    Trevor Megill warms up in the Milwaukee bullpen.

  • Tobias Myers, 5 scoreless innings for Brewers

    Tobias Myers continues to handcuff the Mets' lineup. Only Francisco Lindor took a hit against him. And after hitting Jesse Winker to lead off the fifth inning, Myers struck out Starling Marte and Tyrone Taylor before getting Francisco Alvarez to jump to first base to end the top of the inning.

  • No more trash talk between Jesse Winker and Willy Adames – for now

    Jesse Winker is hit by a pitch to lead off in the top of the 5th. Will he and Willy Adames exchange words again while he's on the bases, as happened in Game 1?

  • Still scoreless after 4 innings

    Milwaukee put a runner in scoring position with Willy Adames leading off the fourth with a single. He finished second on a stolen base. However, Jose Quintana retired Gary Sanchez, Rhys Hoskins and Sal Frelick to keep the Brewers scoreless.

  • Only Francisco Lindor has a goal against Tobias Myers

    In four innings, Tobias Myers held every Mets batter hitless except for Francisco Lindor, who had two hits. Myers also has three strikeouts.

  • The glove work of Jose Iglesias

    Jose Quintana is getting help from his defense, including this nice play from Jose Iglesias at second base.

  • Francisco Lindor, 2 against 2

    Francisco Lindor gets his second hit of the game, hitting a two-out single and moving to second on a wild pitch. But Mark Vientos can't force it in and flies out to right field to end the top of the 3rd inning.

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