Oct 8, 2024 - Sports

Phillies on brink of elimination after Mets Game 3 loss

Isaac Avilucea

The Phillies Kyle Schwarber crosses home plate during his team's 7-2 loss to the Mets in Game 3 of the NLDS. — Kyle Schwarber scores one of only two Phillies runs during Tuesday night's loss in Game 3 of the NLDS. Photo: Elsa/Getty Images

The Phillies got a taste of the "Grimace effect" in a crushing 7-2 loss to the Mets on Tuesday.

Why it matters: The Phillies' World Series dreams are on life support after falling behind 2-1 in the NLDS. They must win Wednesday to extend the best-of-five series.

Driving the news: The Phillies simulated Mets' starting pitcher Sean Manaea's oddball, sidearm delivery during batting practice. But it did them little good, as Manaea gave up only three hits over seven innings.

The Mets built an early lead they never relinquished, thanks to solo home runs from Pete Alonso and Jesse Winker. They added runs in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings to put the game out of reach.
The Phillies got on the scoreboard in the eighth inning off a pair of RBI singles from Bryce Harper and Nick Castellanos.

The intrigue: Several Mets fans showed up to the game dressed up as Grimace, and one of the trains to Citi Field was wrapped in the lumpy, purple McDonald's mascot's likeness.

The fans have embraced Grimace as an unlikely cult hero following the Mets' seven-game winning streak after he threw out the ceremonial pitch during the team's June 12 game.

What we're watching: Can the Phillies stave off elimination Wednesday night?

First pitch is at 5:08pm.

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Phillies on brink of elimination after Mets Game 3 loss

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