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Pete Alonso's late heroics give Brewers flashbacks to another agonizing loss

By Austen Bundy | Last updated 10/3/24

The Milwaukee Brewers were just two outs away from winning a playoff series for the first time since the 2018 National League Divisional Series.

But the New York Mets, who appeared anemic for eight innings, got some late-game dramatics from first baseman Pete Alonso. "The Polar Bear," as he's affectionately known, hit a three-run homer in the top of the ninth to give his team its first lead of the game.

Pete Alonso. CLUTCH.#Postseason | #LGM

pic.twitter.com/F5Lo6qip2U
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) October 4, 2024

New York would tack on an insurance run in the same inning, winning Game 3 by a 4-2 score and advancing to play the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS on Saturday.

This wasn't the first time in recent memory Milwaukee fans had seen their team on the brink of advancing, only to see their solid lead evaporate in the crack of a bat.

Just over five years to the day in the 2019 National League wild-card game, the Brewers led the Washington Nationals 3-1 going into the bottom of the eighth inning and were just four outs away from advancing.

With the bases loaded, Washington's Juan Soto singled to right field — which was misplayed by outfielder Trent Grisham — flipping the lead to 4-3 in favor of the Nationals.

October 1, 2019: The Nationals score 3 runs in the Bottom of the 8th to beat the Brewers 4-3 in the NL Wild Card game. pic.twitter.com/rVqOwObgF6
— This Day In Sports Clips (@TDISportsClips) October 1, 2023

All of a sudden, Milwaukee was down to its final three outs and was promptly eliminated, stunned by what had just happened.

Thursday night, it must have felt like Groundhog Day for Brewers fans. Another NL East team came from behind at the very last moment in an elimination game.

The chase for the franchise's first World Series continues, extending to 56 seasons now — the second-longest active drought in MLB history.

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