The New York Mets delivered a decisive 7-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3 of the National League Division Series (NLDS) on Tuesday, led by an exceptional performance from Sean Manaea. The left-hander's dominance on the mound propelled the Mets to a 2-1 series lead, putting them in position to advance to the National League Championship Series with a win in Game 4.
Manaea's Emotional Masterclass
Sean Manaea, 32, pitched one of the finest games of his career, throwing into the eighth inning and limiting the Phillies' potent lineup to just three hits and two walks. With 91 pitches, he allowed only one run, which was charged after he exited. His stellar outing was all the more poignant as Manaea dedicated the performance to his Aunt Mabel, who passed away earlier that morning.
“That game was for her,” Manaea said after tipping his hat to the fans and blowing two kisses – one to the crowd and one to the sky.
Early Offense Sparks Mets' Win
Manaea’s strong performance was backed by early fireworks from the Mets' offense. Pete Alonso opened the scoring in the second inning with a solo home run off Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola. Alonso, known for his power, delivered his third postseason homer to the opposite field, following a trend of hitting the ball the other way, which he had only done sparingly during the regular season.
Finding the sweet spot and hitting the ball where it is thrown are the key objectives, according to Alonso.
Jesse Winker followed Alonso’s blast with a solo shot of his own, doubling the lead. New York then piled on the pressure with two more runs in both the sixth and seventh innings and another insurance run in the eighth, giving their bullpen plenty of breathing room after Manaea's departure.
Manaea Overcomes Sixth-Inning Tension
Manaea faced his biggest challenge in the sixth inning. After issuing two walks to start the frame, he found himself up against Bryce Harper, a two-time MVP, with runners on and the Phillies threatening to cut into the Mets’ lead.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza considered pulling Manaea after Harper, but the lefty responded by striking out Harper on three pitches, including a devastating left-on-left changeup. Reinvigorated, Manaea continued to attack, inducing an inning-ending double play from Nick Castellanos. Manaea shouted with excitement, as the Citi Field crowd erupted.
“He was attacking,” said Mendoza. “His demeanor, his presence, anything about them was different today.. I’m just proud of him.”
A Story of Redemption
Manaea’s performance was a personal triumph after a difficult past with the Phillies. Two years prior, while pitching for the San Diego Padres, the Phillies tagged him for five runs in a disastrous 1⅓-inning relief appearance in the NLDS. That game marked the low point of Manaea’s career, and he sought help from Driveline Baseball to rebuild his mechanics and confidence.
“Rock bottom,” Manaea reflected on that moment. But Tuesday’s game marked his peak, a career-defining moment of redemption.
Mets Poised to Advance
With the victory, the Mets will have a chance to win Game 4 on Wednesday against their division rivals with ease.. Manager Carlos Mendoza advised his troops to stay focused in spite of the win.
“We’ve got to stay humble,” Mendoza said. “We have to prepare, compete, and execute. Tomorrow is a new game.”
Citi Field, which had been awaiting the team’s return after a 16-day road trip, provided an electric atmosphere for the pivotal Game 3. Fans cheered on beloved figures like World War II veteran Seymour Weiner and the team's good-luck charm, Grimace, who energized the crowd before the first pitch.
As the Mets eye the National League Championship Series, all eyes will be on their next performance, with Sean Manaea’s brilliant outing setting the tone for what could be a historic postseason run.
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