Mets Rally to 8-4 Game 1 Win Over Brewers

Following an exhilarating finish to Game 161 against the Braves on Monday afternoon, where Francisco Lindor’s two-run homer in the ninth sealed an 8-7 victory and clinched a Wild Card spot, the Mets continued their momentum by defeating the Brewers 8-4 in the Wild Card Series opener at American Family Field on Tuesday evening.

The triumph was backed by clutch hitting and a quality start from Luis Severino, who threw 105 pitches through six innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on eight hits, with two walks and three strikeouts. Despite a shaky start that nearly saw him pulled in the fourth, Severino settled in, retiring eight consecutive batters to end his outing—providing significant benefit to the bullpen that was taxed as the Mets tried to clinch.

The Brewers struck first, though, scoring two runs in the opening inning. Mark Vientos failed to glove a leadoff double, and a base hit put runners at the corners, leading to an RBI single. Severino then allowed a walk to load the bases, and hit a batter to bring in a run, putting Milwaukee ahead 2-0.

The Mets quickly responded in the second. Vientos kicked it off with a single, and Pete Alonso drew a walk. Jesse Winker then delivered a two-run triple, marking a strong turnaround after going 3-for-43 in September. Winker became one of only three Mets in postseason history to hit a two-run triple, joining Keith Hernandez (1986) and Bud Harrelson (1969). Carlos Mendoza made a great decision to start a struggling Winker, given his history against Freddy Peralta—hitting 6-for-18 with two home runs. Starling Marte added a sacrifice fly, putting the Mets ahead 3-2. 

Severino faced more challenge in the fourth, allowing a leadoff double and a one-out single that led to the Brewers tying the game at 3-3 with an RBI double. They subsequently took the lead with a groundout, making it 4-3.

However, the never-say-die Mets answered back, coming up with a five-run explosion in the fifth. Tyrone Taylor doubled, and in a two-out rally, Francisco Lindor walked, and Jose Iglesias hustled to beat out an infield single, tying the game at 4-4. Brandon Nimmo followed with a base hit, and Vientos came through with a clutch two-run single, giving the Mets a 6-4 lead. The club then loaded the bases with an intentional walk for Pete Alonso, who set the stage for J.D. Martinez to knock a two-run single off the bench and make it 8-4.

Notably, the Brewers burned through three relief pitchers through the inning as the Mets sent 11 batters to the plate. 

The Mets’ pitching staff then closed out the game by retiring 17 consecutive batters, with José Buttó contributing two scoreless innings and Ryne Stanek finishing with a clean 1-2-3 inning.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

Mark Vientos earned Tuesday’s honor, with a 2-for-4 appearance at the plate with two RBI. His two-run single in the fifth gave the Mets a 6-4 lead that would not be challenged. He became one of four players in Mets history with at least two hits and two RBIs in their postseason debut, joining Carlos Delgardo, David Wright, and Edgardo Alfonzo, per Michael Mayer. 

ON DECK

Sean Manaea (12-6, 3.46 ERA) will get the start for New York tomorrow. Throughout the season, Manaea has been among the Mets’ most reliable starters, and his play was especially impressive in the latter part of the year. He pitched 72 innings over an 11-game span from July 30 to September 21, recording a 2.63 ERA with 82 strikeouts and just 16 walks. But in just 3⅔ innings against the Brewers in his final start of the regular season, the lefty gave up six runs (five earned). As the Mets look to progress quickly to the National League Divisional Series, he will look to recover. 

The Brewers’ starter has yet to be named.

The game will start at 7:38 p.m. ET on ESPN.

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