The 5 Biggest Winners and Losers of the New York Mets' NL Wild Card Elimination Win Over Milwaukee Brewers

Baseball fans tuning into the National League Wild Card series finale between the New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers got a pitchers’ duel. That is, until Jake Bauers broke out with a heroic pinch-hit home run in the bottom of the seventh inning. But he wasn’t the only one with late-inning fireworks.

On a day when both starting pitchers were at their best, it was the bullpen that came undone, allowing a total of three home runs. The biggest spark of the day came from Pete Alonso’s game-winning explosion in the top of the ninth inning, which helped the Mets advance to the NLDS, where they will face the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday.

Of course the Mets are the biggest winners, and of course the Brewers are the biggest losers, but what about the individuals who directly influenced the outcome of the game?

Winner: Jose Quintana, New York Mets pitcher

Everything went well when Jose Quintana took the mound on Thursday. The one-time All-Star turned in a memorable performance when the Mets needed him most, pitching six scoreless innings while allowing just four hits and a walk. But after five strikeouts and 94 pitches, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza decided to retire his 35-year-old starter.

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Winner: Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Tobias Myers

Syndication: Journal Sentinel — Credit: Jovanny Hernandez/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Tobias Myers has been an incredible success story for the Brewers all season. After making 25 starts, with an ERA of just 3.00, the rookie finally got a chance to start a playoff game. The 25-year-old was fantastic, pitching five scoreless innings while allowing just two hits all night. He didn’t walk a single batter, and his five punchouts kept Mets hitters guessing. Myers was pulled after 66 pitches, which only put more pressure on Milwaukee’s bullpen.

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Winner: Jake Bauers, Milwaukee Brewers pinch-hitter

MLB: Playoffs-New York Mets at Milwaukee Brewers — Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Jake Bauers had a moment he will never forget. After being left on the bench in Game 2, Bauers was also unable to start Game 3. But when Pat Murphy turned to his bench for a pinch-hitter, Bauers was the first batter he turned to. The call proved to be the best of the series, with Bauers taking Mets righty Jose Butto deep for a 400-foot home run to right field. Sal Frelick kept the momentum going with a home run in the next at bat.

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Loser: Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Devin Williams

Winner: Pete Alonso, New York Mets first baseman

It’s mind-boggling to think how quickly a 162-game season can end. The Mets had fans on the edge of their seats the entire game. Their fears only increased when right-handed reliever Jose Butto entered in the bottom of the seventh inning.

The Brewers countered by free-swinging right-handed hitter Rhys Hoskins down low and opted to use left-handed hitter Jake Bauers. Six pitches later, Bauers found the one he liked, hitting a changeup over the right-field fence for a solo home run. After Sal Frelick also hit the next one out of the park, it felt like the Mets’ hopes were dashed with a 2-0 deficit.

But the party was just getting started. In the top of the ninth inning, just three outs away from ending their season, Francisco Lindor played hero one last time and walked, setting up Brandon Nimmo for a single. This put Pete Alonso in position to save the day, and the Polar Bear delivered in a big way, with a monumental 300-foot home run to right-center field. This hit will not soon be forgotten.

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