Mets Offense Shows Versatility in Victory

Variety is the spice of life. It was also the Mets’ offense in Game 3.

Pete Alonso and Jesse Winker hit solo long balls early and Starling Marte and Jose Iglesias each hit two-out, two-run singles with the bases loaded in back-to-back innings later in the 7-2 win Tuesday in Game 3 of the National League Division Series at Citi Field.

Francisco Lindor, late to the party but still welcomed by the sellout crowd of 44,093, added a run-scoring double in the eighth inning.

“To win games,” Lindor said, “you gotta score and when you score a run, like it puts in the mentality of that ‘Let’s go. Let’s continue to create something special.'”

Marte’s single to center came at a critical moment with the Mets holding a 2-0 lead in the sixth. The Mets had loaded the bases with nobody out, prompting Phillies manager Rob Thomson to pull starter Aaron Nola for Orion Kerkering. The right-hander got two outs without allowing a run to score. He nearly escaped the jam.

“I think the key for me there was to see the ball up,” Marte said through an interpreter. “They’ve been attacking me with a lot of pitches where I’ve done harm to myself by chasing. So in a situation there where you have men on base it’s to see the ball up and to try to keep the ball up the middle.”

The Mets had six two-out RBIs in the game and are now 13-for-29 against relievers with runners in scoring position during the 2024 postseason.

Alonso’s homer went out to right field, same as his season-saving blast in Milwaukee. All three of his 2024 postseason home runs have gone the opposite way after having only four opposite-field home runs in the regular season this year.

“Wherever it goes out, if it does, I’m just happy it does,” he said. “If I’m hitting balls the other way, it’s typically a good sign.”

Winker stood at home plate after he connected, admiring the 399-foot bomb, his first career playoff homer in 17 at-bats.

“It’s what you dream about as a kid,” the 31-year-old said. “Yeah, it was oh my god.”

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