Phillies' World Series hopes crushed in Game 4 NLDS loss to Mets

Driving the news: Phillies starting pitcher Ranger Suárez relied on his curveball to strike out eight batters and get himself out of early-inning jams in Game 4 of the National League Division Series.

• The Mets couldn't capitalize after loading the bases twice in the opening innings. But the Phillies bullpen let Suárez down late in the game.
• Phillies reliever Jeff Hoffman imploded in the sixth inning, giving up a lead-off hit, tossing a wild pitch and walking a batter to load the bases for the Mets. He was replaced by Carlos Estévez, who fared no better.

Trailing by a single run, Mets' captain Francisco Lindor blasted a grand slam to give his team a prevailing 4-1 lead — the Mets' first postseason grand slam since 1999.

The big picture: Another Phillies' season that started with so much promise ended in bitter disappointment.

• Powered by one of the most talented and expensive rosters in baseball, the Phillies clinched their first NL East championship in 13 years, securing a first-round bye in the playoffs. They were in contention late in the season for the best record in baseball.

The bottom line: Now they're left pondering what must change if they're going to get over the hump. They lost to the Diamondbacks in a stunning collapse in last year's NLCS and were upended by Houston in the 2022 World Series.