NEW YORK (AP) — In a thrilling showdown, the New York Mets secured their place in the National League Championship Series with a decisive 4-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday. Francisco Lindor shone bright in the sixth inning, delivering a grand slam that highlighted his extraordinary season filled with clutch moments.
With two runners on base, Edwin Díaz took the mound and struck out Kyle Schwarber, solidifying the win as the Mets closed out the Phillies in Game 4 of their best-of-five Division Series. This victory marked the first time in 24 years that New York has wrapped up a postseason series at home.
Celebrations erupted in the Mets’ clubhouse immediately following the game, as they enjoyed their first champagne-drenched clinching party in Citi Field’s 16-year history. The Mets will now have a brief respite of three days before they open the best-of-seven NLCS on Sunday against either the San Diego Padres or the Los Angeles Dodgers, with San Diego leading their NLDS 2-1 heading into Game 4.
For the Phillies, who topped the NL East with 95 wins during the regular season, this early exit from the playoffs was particularly disheartening. After making it to the World Series in 2022 and facing a tough defeat in the 2023 NLCS, the team found itself in a disappointing position, searching for its third championship title.
Bryce Harper and his teammates, who had high hopes for a strong playoff run, will need to regroup and reflect on their season after falling short once again in October. The Mets, however, faced some challenges of their own; they left the bases loaded in the first and second innings and stranded eight runners in total through the first five frames.
In the pivotal sixth inning, the Mets threatened again, loading the bases with no outs. Francisco Alvarez, batting ninth, hit into a force out at home plate against All-Star reliever Jeff Hoffman. Facing the pressure, Phillies manager Rob Thomson brought in closer Carlos Estévez to challenge Lindor. The star shortstop, however, delivered by smashing a fastball clocked at 99 mph deep into the right-center bullpen, granting the Mets a commanding 4-1 lead, much to the excitement of the 44,103 fans in attendance.
With this playoff homer, Lindor joined an elite company, becoming one of only three major leaguers to hit two grand slams in postseason play, alongside Shane Victorino and Hall of Famer Jim Thome. The last postseason slam for the Mets was achieved by Edgardo Alfonzo during the 1999 Division Series at Arizona. As Lindor left the field to chants of “MVP! MVP!” from the crowd, it was evident how crucial he has been to the Mets’ success this season.
This was Lindor’s first game back at Citi Field since September 8, having missed considerable time due to a back injury. Few players in the league have had as significant an impact on their team this year as Lindor, who has been instrumental in turning the Mets’ season around after a rough start of 24-35, leading them to their first NLCS since falling to the Kansas City Royals in the 2015 World Series.
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