NEW YORK — The New York Mets have a major opportunity in front of them on Wednesday night.
They can clinch a series victory for the first time at Citi Field when they take on the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 4 of the National League Division Series at 5:08 p.m. in Flushing. The Mets took a 2-1 lead in the series on Tuesday behind a strong start by Sean Manaea and home runs by Pete Alonso and Jesse Winker in a 7-2 victory.
"It means a lot to all of us that we have that opportunity, but we're facing a really good team," manager Carlos Mendoza said. "We got to go out there and we got to execute and we got to play well."
After piecing together a strong start in a winner-take-all NL Wild Card Game 3, Jose Quintana makes the start for the Mets in their chance to clinch their spot in the National League Championship Series.
With Ranger Suarez on the mound, the Phillies are looking to force a must-win Game 5 and a trip back to Philadelphia on Friday.
With the Mets looking to advance, and the Phillies hoping to stay alive, here are live updates and analysis from NLDS Game 4 at Citi Field:
Francisco Lindor pops go-ahead grand slam off Carlos Estevez
For five innings on Wednesday night, the Mets had applied pressure to the Phillies pitching staff with nothing to show for it. Twice, the Mets came up empty with the bases loaded — in the first and third innings.
Francisco Lindor changed that with one swing of the bat off Carlos Estevez. After Jeff Hoffman loaded the bases, Phillies manager Rob Thomson called on his closer.
Lindor added another monumental home run to the Mets' late season, blasting a grand slam on a 2-1 fastball into the Phillies' bullpen to give the Mets a 4-1 lead in the bottom of the sixth.
David Peterson, Reed Garrett help Mets work through traffic in sixth
Carlos Mendoza gave Jose Quintana one batter in the sixth inning. Bryce Harper doubled in that at-bat to lead off the sixth.
Then, the Mets manager turned to Reed Garrett, who struck out two and walked Alec Bohm. David Peterson came on against the left-handed hitting Bryson Stott and finished the job by inducing a weak ground ball to Pete Alonso.
Expect Peterson to stay in at least through the top of the Mets' lineup. Phillies lead 1-0 heading to the bottom of the sixth.
Mets come up empty on another chance after running Ranger Suarez
Ranger Suarez's line in Game 4 will go down as 4⅓ scoreless innings, but it was more impressive what he encountered and how he was able to get through unscathed. He worked around five hits and four walks to get there.
In the fifth, he gave up a leadoff double to Francisco Lindor and walked Mark Vientos before freezing Brandon Nimmo for a strikeout on a low sinker. Jeff Hoffman picked up the pieces, freezing Pete Alonso for a strikeout on a slider and inducing a ground ball in front of the plate that J.T. Realmuto converted for the final out.
The Phillies lead 1-0 after five innings.
Phillies strike first as pressure mounts on Jose Quintana
Through the first three innings, Jose Quintana had allowed only one baserunner on a walk.
That changed in the fourth inning as Quintana walked Bryce Harper and gave up a double to Nick Castellanos to left field. With a pair of runners in scoring position, Mark Vientos mishandled a chopper from Alec Bohm and Harper scored.
Quintana, who has thrown 71 pitches through four, ended the threat there as he picked up back-to-back fly balls. Phillies lead 1-0 in the middle of the fourth.
Ranger Suarez battles through second straight predicament
For the second straight inning, the Mets loaded the bases in the second against Ranger Suarez.
Starling Marte drew a leadoff walk and Tyrone Taylor singled before Suarez struck out Francisco Alvarez and Francisco Lindor on curveballs. After Mark Vientos beat out an infield single to the left side, Brandon Nimmo grounded out to Bryce Harper at first base.
The Phillies had Jeff Hoffman warming up, but Suarez worked through the jam. He's thrown 53 pitches in two innings. The Mets and Phillies are scoreless after two innings.
Mets waste bases-loaded chance in the first inning
The Mets had Phillies left-hander Ranger Suarez on the ropes in the opening inning but let him off the hook.
They loaded the bases with one out as Mark Vientos doubled into the left-center field gap, Brandon Nimmo walked and Pete Alonso beat out a chopper to the left side. Suarez worked through the jam by striking out Jose Iglesias on three pitches and getting J.D. Martinez to wave at a curveball in the dirt.
Suarez threw 30 pitches in the frame as the Mets and Phillies are scoreless heading to the second inning.
Mets announce lineup for NLDS Game 4 vs Phillies
How to watch Mets vs. Phillies in NLDS Game 4
Time: 5:08 p.m.
Channel: FS1 ( watch with Fubo FREE trial )
Watch Mets vs. Phillies NLDS Game 4 on Fubo
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This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Mets vs Philadelphia Phillies live score, updates, lineup from NLDS Game 4
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