MILWAUKEE (AP) — Rhys Hoskins hit a grand slam off Sean Manaea in the first inning and the New York Mets’ playoff hopes took a hit Friday night with an 8-4 loss to the NL Central champion Milwaukee Brewers.
The Mets, Arizona Diamondbacks and Atlanta Braves are chasing the final two National League wild cards. The Mets and Braves have identical 87-71 records after Atlanta beat the Kansas City Royals 3-0 on Friday. The Diamondbacks fell to 88-72 after losing 5-3 to the San Diego Padres later Friday night.
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MILWAUKEE (AP) — Rhys Hoskins hit a grand slam off Sean Manaea in the first inning and the New York Mets’ playoff hopes took a hit Friday night with an 8-4 loss to the NL Central champion Milwaukee Brewers.
Milwaukee Brewers' Rhys Hoskins gestures after hitting a grand slam during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
New York Mets' Francisco Alvarez (4) reacts after striking out during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
New York Mets' Mark Vientos (27) is congratulated at the dugout by Harrison Bader (44) after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
Milwaukee Brewers' Sal Frelick, center, walks off the field during the third inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Milwaukee. Frelick left the game after suffering an injury. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
New York Mets' Francisco Alvarez loses his helmet after swinging during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
New York Mets' Tyrone Taylor makes a leaping catch of a ball during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza, right, yells to umpire Ramon De Jesus, second from right, after being ejected during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
Milwaukee Brewers' Jackson Chourio, right, hits an RBI-single during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
Milwaukee Brewers' Jackson Chourio is congratulated after hitting an RBI single during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
Milwaukee Brewers' Rhys Hoskins is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a grand slam during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
“They kept fighting,” said Mets manager Carlos Mendoza, who was ejected by plate umpire Ramon De Jesus after arguing a called third strike on Francisco Alvarez in the fourth inning. “We got down early, and we didn't give up. Turn the page, and we've got to get ready for tomorrow.”
New York’s loss spoiled the return of star shortstop Francisco Lindor, who went 2 for 4 with a walk and committed an error in his first appearance since Sept. 15. Lindor had played only one inning over the Mets’ past 10 games due to lower back pain.
While the Mets are still competing for a postseason berth, the Brewers already are locked into the No. 3 seed in the NL playoffs and will open a Wild Card Series Tuesday in Milwaukee.
“We know what’s at stake this weekend for those guys,” said Hoskins, a Mets nemesis dating to his days with rival Philadelphia. “Obviously, we’re trying to do what we can to be as prepared as we can for Tuesday by playing good baseball, so to get off on the right foot in the first game of a series is huge for us.”
Hoskins’ first-inning drive was his third grand slam and Milwaukee's 10th of the season, both tying franchise records.
The only other Brewers to have three grand slams in a season were John Jaha in 1995, Devon White in 2001 and John Vander Wal in 2003. The only other year the Brewers hit 10 grand slams was 1995.
Brice Turang went 3 for 4 with three runs and three of Milwaukee's six steals — increasing his season total to 50. Gary Sánchez homered late.
The only other players in franchise history to have at least 50 steals in a season were Tommy Harper (73 in 1969), Scott Podsednik (70 in 2005), Jonathan Villar (62 in 2016) and Pat Listach (54 in 1992). Harper’s 73 steals came in the franchise’s inaugural season, when they were the Seattle Pilots.
“I'm not really chasing numbers — just chasing opportunities to put myself in a better situation to score a run,” Turang said.
Milwaukee improved to 11-1 in its last 12 games against the Mets, including a 4-0 record this year.
Hoskins’ slam gave the Brewers an early 4-0 lead over Manaea, who had allowed more than three runs in only one of his last 12 starts. Manaea (12-6) gave up six runs — five earned — while lasting just 3 2/3 innings. New York had won his previous eight outings.
“We're fighting for our lives over here, and to do that doesn't feel good,” Manaea said. “But this team's resilient."
The Mets trailed 5-0 before Mark Vientos hit a two-run homer off starter Frankie Montas in the third.
New York then had runners on first and second with two outs in the fourth when Alvarez worked a 10-pitch at-bat before he struck out looking at a 3-2 pitch that appeared a bit low.
The Mets scored two runs off Hoby Milner in the eighth to cut Milwaukee's lead to 7-4, but a brilliant catch by rookie Jackson Chourio in deep left-center helped limit the damage. Sánchez provided more breathing room with a 425-foot shot to left off Alex Young in the bottom half.
Joe Ross (3-6) pitched three innings of shutout relief to earn the win. Trevor Megill got the final out in the eighth and worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 21st save in 24 opportunities.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Brewers RF Sal Frelick left after crashing into the sidewall while trying to make a leaping catch of a foul ball in the third inning. Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy said Frelick will undergo an MRI on Saturday.
Alvarez exited with back spasms after sliding into third in the seventh.
UP NEXT
Mets LHP Jose Quintana (10-9, 3.74 ERA) will start Saturday night in the middle game of the series. Milwaukee RHP Tobias Myers (8-6. 3.09) will pitch, though he won't necessarily start.
Quintana has thrown a career-high 22 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings and allowed one earned run over 32 innings in his last five outings, winning the past four. He hasn't pitched since Sept. 18.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
Milwaukee Brewers' Rhys Hoskins hits a grand slam during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
Milwaukee Brewers' Rhys Hoskins gestures after hitting a grand slam during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
New York Mets' Francisco Alvarez (4) reacts after striking out during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
New York Mets' Mark Vientos (27) is congratulated at the dugout by Harrison Bader (44) after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
Milwaukee Brewers' Sal Frelick, center, walks off the field during the third inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Milwaukee. Frelick left the game after suffering an injury. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
New York Mets' Francisco Alvarez loses his helmet after swinging during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
New York Mets' Tyrone Taylor makes a leaping catch of a ball during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza, right, yells to umpire Ramon De Jesus, second from right, after being ejected during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
Milwaukee Brewers' Jackson Chourio, right, hits an RBI-single during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
Milwaukee Brewers' Jackson Chourio is congratulated after hitting an RBI single during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
Milwaukee Brewers' Rhys Hoskins is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a grand slam during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
BEIRUT (AP) — The Israeli military said it struck Hezbollah’s headquarters in Beirut on Friday in a series of massive explosions that targeted the leader of the militant group and leveled multiple high-rise apartment buildings.
At least six people were killed and 91 were wounded, Lebanon’s health ministry said. It was the biggest blast to hit the Lebanese capital in the past year and appeared likely to push the escalating conflict closer to full-fledged war.
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was the target of the strikes, according to two people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity, including one United States official. The Israeli army declined to comment on who it was targeting. It was not immediately clear if Nasrallah was at the site, and Hezbollah did not comment on the report.
The death toll is likely to rise significantly as teams comb through the rubble of six buildings. Israel launched a series of strikes on other areas of the southern suburbs following the initial blast.
After the strikes, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu abruptly cut short a visit to the United States to return home. Hours earlier, he addressed the United Nations, vowing that Israel’s intensified campaign against Hezbollah over the past two weeks would continue — further dimming hopes for an internationally backed cease-fire.
News of the blasts came as Netanyahu was briefing reporters after his U.N. address. A military aide whispered into his ear, and Netanyahu quickly ended the briefing.
Israeli army spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said the strikes targeted the main Hezbollah headquarters, saying it was located underground beneath residential buildings.
The series of blasts at around nightfall reduced six apartment towers to rubble in Haret Hreik, a densely populated, predominantly Shiite district of Beirut’s Dahiyeh suburbs, according to Lebanon’s national news agency. A wall of billowing black and orange smoke rose into the sky as windows were rattled and houses shaken some 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of Beirut.
Footage showed rescue workers clambering over large slabs of concrete, surrounded by high piles of twisted metal and wreckage. Several craters were visible, one with a car toppled into it. A stream of residents carrying their belongings were seen fleeing along a main road out of the district.
Israel provided no immediate comment about the type of bomb or how many it used, but the resulting explosion levelled an area greater than a city block. The Israeli army has in its arsenal 2,000-pound, American-made “Bunker Buster” guided bombs designed specifically for hitting subterranean targets.
Richard Weir, crisis and weapons researcher with Human Rights Watch, said the blasts were consistent with that class of bomb.
Israel’s air forces followed with a new set of strikes early Saturday, also in the southern suburbs, shortly after warning residents of three buildings to evacuate. It said they were being used by Hezbollah to hide weapons, including anti-ship missiles.
Israel’s military announced additional attacks on Beqaa in eastern Lebanon and Tyre in the south.
To a degree unseen in past conflicts, Israel spent the week pushing to eliminate Hezbollah’s senior leadership. But an attempt to assassinate Nasrallah — successful or not — would be a major escalation. The Pentagon said the U.S. had no advance warning of the strikes.
Nasrallah has been in hiding for years, very rarely appearing in public. He regularly gives speeches, but always by video from unknown locations.
The site hit Friday evening had not been publicly known as Hezbollah’s main headquarters, though it is located in the group’s “security quarters,” a heavily guarded part of Haret Hreik where it has offices and runs several nearby hospitals.
Four hours after the strike, Hezbollah had still not issued any statement referring to it. Instead, it announced that it had launched a salvo of rockets at the Israeli city of Safed, which it said was “in defense of Lebanon and its people, and in response to the barbaric Israeli violation of cities, villages and civilians.”
The Israeli military said a house and a car in Safed were hit, and officials said a 68-year-old woman sustained mild shrapnel wounds.
Israel dramatically intensified its airstrikes in Lebanon this week, saying it is determined to put an end to more than 11 months of Hezbollah fire into its territory. The escalated campaign has killed more than 720 people in Lebanon, including dozens of women and children, according to Health Ministry statistics. A predawn strike Friday in the mainly Sunni border town of Chebaa killed nine members of the same family, the state news agency said.
The United Nations said the fighting has displaced 211,000 people, including 85,000 now staying in public schools and other shelters. Airstrikes have forced 20 primary health care centers to shut down and disrupted access to clean water for nearly 300,000 people.
The scope of Israel’s operation remains unclear, but officials have said a ground invasion to push the militant group away from the border is a possibility. Israel moved thousands of troops toward the border in preparation.
At the U.N., Netanyahu vowed to “continue degrading Hezbollah” until Israel achieves its goals. His comments dampened hopes for a U.S.-backed call for a 21-day truce between Israel and Hezbollah to allow time for a diplomatic solution. Hezbollah has not responded to the proposal.
Iranian-backed Hezbollah, the strongest armed force in Lebanon, began firing rockets into Israel almost immediately after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, saying it was a show of support for the Palestinians. Since then, it and the Israeli military have traded fire almost daily, forcing tens of thousands of people to flee their homes on both sides of the border.
An Israeli security official said he expects the campaign against Hezbollah would not last for as long as the current war in Gaza, because the military’s goals are much narrower.
In Gaza, Israel aims to dismantle Hamas’ military and political regime, but the goal in Lebanon is to push Hezbollah away from the border — “not a high bar like Gaza” in terms of operational objectives, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to military briefing guidelines.
In the southern Lebanese city of Tyre, civil defense workers pulled the bodies of two women — 35-year-old Hiba Ataya and her mother Sabah Olyan — from the rubble of a building brought down by a strike.
“That’s Sabah, these are her clothes, my love,” one man cried out as her body emerged.
Israel says its accelerated strikes have already inflicted heavy damage on Hezbollah’s weapons capabilities and its fighters. A strike Tuesday in southern Lebanon killed a Hezbollah missile unit commander, Muhammad Ali Ismail, and his deputy, Israel's military said Saturday. There was no immediate confirmation from Hezbollah.
But Hezbollah boasted a large arsenal of rockets and missiles and its remaining capacities are unknown.
Hezbollah officials and their supporters remain defiant. Not long before the explosions Friday evening, thousands gathered in another part of Beirut’s suburbs for the funeral of three Hezbollah members killed in earlier strikes, including the head of the group’s drone unit, Mohammed Surour.
People in the giant crowd waved their fists in the air and chanted, “We will never accept humiliation,” as they marched marched behind the three coffins, wrapped in the group’s yellow flag.
Hussein Fadlallah, Hezbollah’s top official in Beirut, said in a speech that no matter how many commanders Israel kills, the group has endless numbers of experienced fighters. He vowed that Hezbollah will keep fighting until Israel stops its offensive in Gaza.
“We will not abandon the support of Palestine, Jerusalem and oppressed Gaza,” Fadlallah said. “There is no place for neutrality in this battle.”
AP writers Tia Goldenberg at the United Nations; Abby Sewell in Beirut; Aamer Madhani in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware; and Zeina Karam in London contributed to this report.
Smoke and fire rise following an Israeli airstrikes in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Smoke rises from an Israeli airstrike in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
Lebanese citizens watch smoke rise from Israeli airstrikes in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
Flames rise after an Israeli airstrike in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
Smoke rises from Israeli airstrikes in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Smoke rises from Israeli airstrikes in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Smoke rises from Israeli airstrikes in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Smoke rises from Israeli airstrikes in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Rescuers gather as smoke rises from a collapsed building at the site of an Israeli airstrike in Beirut's southern suburbs, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
People gather as smoke rises from a collapsed building at the site of an Israeli airstrike in Beirut's southern suburbs, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Rescuers arrive near the site of an Israeli airstrike in Beirut's southern suburbs, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Rescuers arrive near the site of an Israeli airstrike in Beirut's southern suburbs, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Rescuers arrive at the site of an Israeli airstrike in Beirut's southern suburbs, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
A wounded man sits in an ambulance at the site of an Israeli airstrike in Beirut's southern suburbs, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Smoke rises from Israeli airstrikes in Beirut, seen from Baabda, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photo)
Mourners bury the bodies of their relatives, killed in Israeli airstrikes in the village of Karak, Bekaa Valley, eastern Lebanon, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
