It’s been a postseason of incredible Mets moments and Wednesday provided another, this time courtesy of Francisco Lindor.
After multiple innings of failed opportunities, the Mets would have another shot in the sixth inning. With the bases loaded and no outs, Francisco Alvarez grounded into a forceout but the bases remained juice to set up Lindor.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson called for Carlos Estevez, one of his best relievers, to try and preserve a 1-0 lead. On a 2-1 count, Esteves threw a 99.4 mph fastball over the plate and Lindor did not miss, sending it 398 feet over the center field wall and sending Citi Field into bedlam.
And Howie Rose, on ESPN New York 880 radio, had the call to accompany the moment.
“Swing and a drive towards the gap in right-center. It’s pretty deep, It’s back near the wall, it’s gone, it’s gone!” Rose exclaimed. “Francisco Lindor. He may have just outdone himself and he’s just hit a grand slam into the Phillies’ bullpen in right-center field. The Mets are leading by a score of 4-1. They were famished for the big hit all night and Francisco Lindor just provided a feast.”
The Lindor blast gave the Mets the lead and the bullpen did the rest as New York held on to a 4-1 lead to clinch the National League Division Series and send them to the NLCS for the first time since 2015.