Summoned to clean up a bases-loaded, no-out situation in the sixth inning, Kerkering nearly navigated the peril, coaxing José Iglesias into a fielder’s choice at the plate, followed by a Jesse Winker flyout to left. However, Marte lined the second pitch he saw from Kerkering into center, scoring Brandon Nimmo and Pete Alonso to extend the Mets’ lead to 4-0.
The deficit felt more daunting than it was, largely due to the Phillies’ struggling offense, which managed just three hits through seven-plus innings against Mets starter Sean Manaea.
Then, the situation took a turn for the worse.
In the seventh, Jose Alvarado surrendered two more runs, stretching the Mets' advantage to 6-0. What felt like an insurmountable challenge grew larger and ultimately led to a 7-2 loss at Citi Field.
With this defeat, the Mets now hold a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five NLDS and could eliminate the Phillies from the postseason as early as Wednesday.
The Phillies’ offense has struggled just as much as their bullpen throughout this series. Over three games, the relief corps has allowed 12 earned runs and 17 hits in just nine innings, issuing five walks for a dismal 12.00 ERA and 2.44 WHIP.
Despite pushing across a pair of runs in the eighth, courtesy of singles from Bryce Harper and Nick Castellanos, it proved too little, too late. The offense has gone cold, particularly from the bottom of the lineup, where the six-through-nine hitters have combined for a woeful 3-for-41 in the NLDS, resulting in a .073 batting average.
"I thought our bats early in the game were okay," manager Rob Thomson said. "We hit three balls early, just didn't have anything to show for it. Then, as the game progressed, guys tried to do a little too much. We just need to stay with our approach and pass the baton, which is what we always talk about, and have good at-bats."
Alonso set the tone early for the Mets, jumping on the first pitch he saw from Aaron Nola in the second inning — a 94 mph four-seamer that caught too much of the plate — depositing it over the right-field fence for a quick 1-0 Mets lead. Winker extended the Mets’ advantage in the fourth, turning on a belt-high fastball and hooking it just inside the right-field foul pole for his first homer of the postseason, making it 2-0.
The Mets, who managed just one home run in their three-game Wild Card series, have now hit six against the Phillies in the NLDS.
Nola cruised through the first five innings, needing only 66 pitches. But the sixth inning unraveled quickly as Mark Vientos singled, followed by walks to both Nimmo and Alonso, loading the bases.
Then Marte's single provided the insurance.
Now, the Phillies find themselves in a precarious position as they look to break out of this offensive slump and regain control.
"As a group, this is the closest to death we are ever going to get, so in a way we should feel most alive," Castellanos said. "We are only promised tomorrow, and this is what we've been working for since Spring Training, to have this opportunity."
Ranger Suarez will take the mound for the Phils in Game 4. He’s pitched well in the postseason for the club, posting a 1.62 ERA over 33 1/3 innings dating back to the 2022 NLDS. However, he has struggled for much of the second half this season after returning from a back strain. In his five most recent starts to conclude the regular season, he posted a 6.04 ERA while opponents hit .330 against him.
"We have all the confidence in the world in him," Harper said. "We expect the best out of him tomorrow, the best out of our bullpen, and the same from our offense. We’ve got to go out there with our backs against the wall, put some runs on the board, and let Ranger do his job."
Thomson indicated after the Game 3 loss that he believes everyone except for Nola will be available if needed in Game 4 — including Zack Wheeler, who is currently slated as the Game 5 starter.
However, the Phillies need to focus on winning Wednesday before even considering a starter for a potential Game 5 in Philadelphia.
"As a group, this is the closest to death we are ever going to get, so in a way we should feel most alive," Castellanos said. "We are only promised tomorrow, and this is what we've been working for since Spring Training, to have this opportunity."
Ranger Suarez will take the mound for the Phils in Game 4. He’s pitched well in the postseason for the club, posting a 1.62 ERA over 33 1/3 innings dating back to the 2022 NLDS. However, he has struggled for much of the second half this season after returning from a back strain. In his five most recent starts to conclude the regular season, he posted a 6.04 ERA while opponents hit .330 against him.
"We have all the confidence in the world in him," Harper said. "We expect the best out of him tomorrow, the best out of our bullpen, and the same from our offense. We’ve got to go out there with our backs against the wall, put some runs on the board, and let Ranger do his job."
Thomson indicated after the Game 3 loss that he believes everyone except for Nola will be available if needed in Game 4 — including Zack Wheeler, who is currently slated as the Game 5 starter.
However, the Phillies need to focus on winning Wednesday before even considering a starter for a potential Game 5 in Philadelphia.