In a thrilling Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series, the New York Mets continued their improbable postseason push, defeating the Milwaukee Brewers 8-4 on Tuesday night. Mark Vientos delivered the game-changing hit with a tiebreaking, two-run single in a decisive five-run fifth inning. The victory leaves the Mets just one win away from advancing to face the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL Division Series.
The Mets’ postseason journey has been nothing short of dramatic. They didn’t even secure their playoff spot until late Monday when they staged a dramatic comeback against the Atlanta Braves in the first game of a makeup doubleheader. That victory, paired with another against the Braves later that day, propelled them into the postseason, and they carried that momentum into Milwaukee.
The game opened with Milwaukee seizing early control, scoring two runs in the first inning. However, the Mets quickly countered with three runs in the second, fueled by Jesse Winker’s two-run triple. Winker, a former Brewer, was met with boos from the Milwaukee crowd every time he stepped to the plate, adding an extra layer of tension to the contest. Winker also had a brief verbal exchange with Brewers shortstop Willy Adames following his hit, adding some heat to the early innings.
The Brewers regained the lead in the fourth inning with two runs, highlighted by 20-year-old Jackson Chourio’s RBI single. Chourio, making his playoff debut, was impressive, going 2-for-4 and becoming the youngest player to record two hits in a postseason debut. Despite his and Brice Turang’s contributions, Milwaukee’s offense faltered after their initial surge.
The turning point came in the top of the fifth inning when the Brewers, holding a 4-3 lead, pulled starter Freddy Peralta after just 68 pitches. Manager Pat Murphy’s decision to turn to his bullpen, which had been one of the league’s best all season, backfired. Joel Payamps, the first reliever in, struggled from the outset. Although Starling Marte’s deep flyout was caught on a leaping grab by Chourio at the left-field wall, things quickly unraveled for the Brewers.
After Tyrone Taylor doubled and advanced to third on a misplayed ball by Chourio, a Jose Iglesias infield single tied the game at 4-4. The momentum shifted entirely when Vientos came up to bat and lined a two-run single to right, giving the Mets a 6-4 lead. Aaron Ashby, who took over for Payamps, couldn’t stop the bleeding. A wild pitch and an intentional walk to Pete Alonso loaded the bases, and J.D. Martinez, pinch-hitting for Winker, delivered a two-run single to extend the Mets’ lead to 8-4.
From that point on, Mets pitching took control. After surrendering four runs in the first four innings, starter Luis Severino settled down, finishing six innings while allowing just three earned runs. The bullpen was flawless, as José Buttó threw two perfect innings and Ryne Stanek closed the door in the ninth by retiring the side in order.
For Milwaukee, it was another disappointing night in the postseason, as they’ve now lost 10 of their last 11 playoff games—a stretch that began with their Game 7 loss in the 2018 NL Championship Series. Chourio’s standout debut and Turang’s 3-for-4 performance were among the few bright spots for the NL Central champions.
Now, the Mets, riding a wave of momentum, have history on their side. Since the introduction of the best-of-three Wild Card Series format in 2022, every Game 1 winner has advanced, and only one of those series even reached a Game 3. The Brewers will need to overcome their playoff woes quickly if they hope to force a decisive third game, while the Mets, rejuvenated after their late-season surge, are a win away from moving on to the next round.
