Alonso's night turns around with season-saving homer for Mets in 9th inning

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Pete Alonso was having a rather disappointing evening in what could have been his final game for the New York Mets.

Then everything changed with one swing of the bat.

The slugger broke out of a prolonged slump by smashing a three-run homer off closer Devin Williams in the ninth inning to put the Mets up for good in a 4-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday in the decisive third game of their NL Wild Card Series.

That made Alonso the first major leaguer to hit a go-ahead homer when his team was trailing in the ninth inning or later of a winner-take-all postseason game, according to OptaSTATS.

“It’s just something you practice in the backyard as a kid,” Alonso said. “You go through those scenarios as a little kid: All right, you’re in the playoffs down by a few runs. Words can’t explain. This is just unreal.”

Alonso and the Mets advanced to a best-of-five Division Series beginning Saturday in Philadelphia against the NL East champion Phillies.

The night could have turned out much differently for Alonso.

Milwaukee took a 2-0 lead in the seventh on back-to-back homers from pinch-hitter Jake Bauers and Sal Frelick, and was threatening to add on. The Brewers had runners at second and third with two outs when William Contreras hit a foul pop toward the stands that Alonso was unable to catch against the protective netting, giving the All-Star catcher one more chance to drive in some runs.

“It’s baseball,” Alonso said. “It’s a game of failure. Sometimes it’s not the case. Especially in these big games, you’ve got to move on to the next pitch and make a positive impact, do the best you can, stay within yourself and execute.”

The defensive play didn’t become a factor once Edwin Díaz struck out Contreras to end that inning. Alonso then came up with the Mets trailing 2-0 but threatening in the ninth.

Francisco Lindor had started the rally by walking on a 3-2 pitch. One out later, Brandon Nimmo singled to put the tying run on base for Alonso.

The 29-year-old Alonso has gone deep 226 times in his six years with New York — including a 53-homer season as a rookie in 2019.

“He’s with Mike Piazza as one of the greatest home run hitters in Mets history,” teammate Brandon Nimmo said.

But he hadn’t done much lately. Alonso struggled late in the season and hadn’t had so much as an extra-base hit since homering on Sept. 19. Nimmo said teammates kept telling Alonso he was just one swing from turning it around.

Adding to the pressure was the unavoidable fact that Alonso is a pending free agent. When he stepped to the plate in the ninth inning, he knew it might be his final time at bat in a Mets uniform.

“And now it's not because he did what big Pete does," Nimmo said.

What he did was send an opposite-field shot over the right-field wall on a 3-1 changeup from Williams, a two-time NL reliever of the year.

“As soon as I hit it I was like, ‘Oh yeah, nobody’s catching that,’" Alonso said.

An excited Alonso put his fingers to his mouth in a “chef’s kiss” gesture as he rounded first base. The emotions continued spilling out as the Mets added an insurance run and then shut the door in the bottom of the ninth.

“No one knows until they go through it what that struggle is like,” Nimmo said. “When you’re going through the tough times and haven’t had an extra-base hit in a couple of weeks, three weeks, whatever it’s been, you’re just really trying to help the team however you possibly can, but it’s not there right now. Like I’ve told you guys before, you never know when that’s going to happen. This game is really, really hard. It can happen in the blink of an eye, and it can be really hard to get out of. And it’s hard to maintain your confidence during that.

“So the weight of emotions on him has probably been building up for this last three weeks of that. And the release of that, when you finally come through — and you come through in a gigantic way for your team — it’s hard to even put that into words. I’m sure that’s why he was so emotional.”

As Alonso spoke to reporters during the champagne-soaked celebration in the Mets’ locker room, he was handed a small pumpkin. Alonso called it his “playoff pumpkin” and explained that he and his wife had found it while visiting a farm outside Milwaukee when the Mets were playing here last weekend.

“Nothing’s more fall than playoff baseball and pumpkins,” Alonso said.

Thanks to his clutch homer, the Mets might keep playing all the way through Halloween.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

New York Mets' Pete Alonso celebrates his three-run home run with Luisangel Acuña during the ninth inning of Game 3 of a National League wild card baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

New York Mets' Pete Alonso hits a three-run home run during the ninth inning of Game 3 of a National League wild card baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

New York Mets' Pete Alonso reacts after hitting a three-run home run during the ninth inning of Game 3 of a National League wild card baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

New York Mets' Pete Alonso reacts after hitting a three-run home run during the ninth inning of Game 3 of a National League wild card baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

New York Mets' Pete Alonso hits a three-run home run during the ninth inning of Game 3 of a National League wild card baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

New York Mets' Pete Alonso celebrates with teammates after winning Game 3 of a National League wild card baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Milwaukee. The Mets won 4-2. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

New York Mets' Pete Alonso celebrates after winning Game 3 of a National League wild card baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Milwaukee. The Mets won 4-2. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

ATLANTA (AP) — Kirk Cousins sure earned all that money Thursday night.

The $180 million quarterback threw for a career-high 509 yards and four touchdowns, the last of them a 45-yard scoring pass to KhaDarel Hodge in overtime that gave the Atlanta Falcons an improbable 36-30 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“What a night,” Cousins said. “I'm exhausted.”

After a wild fourth quarter that featured a blocked field goal, a fumble and an interception, Cousins and the Falcons (3-2) got the ball back at their own 20 with 1:14 remaining in regulation and no timeouts, trailing 30-27.

Cousins completed five passes to push Atlanta to the Buccaneers 29, then hustled to the line to spike the ball with a single second left. In all the confusion, the Falcons were called for delay of game as they lined up for a tying field goal, but it didn't cost them.

Younghoe Koo knocked it through from 52 yards to force overtime, one week after he made a 58-yarder with 2 seconds left to beat the New Orleans Saints.

“I'm proud of the grit,” Cousins said. “In this league, that’s what it takes. We were gritty tonight.”

The Falcons won the coin toss in overtime and made sure Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers (3-2) didn't get their hands on the ball again.

Cousins connected with Drake London on a couple of passes before throwing a short one to Hodge, who broke a tackle at the 40, sliced through a gap in the secondary and raced untouched to the end zone to end the game.

The four TD passes tied Cousins' career best, while his yardage through the air easily eclipsed his previous high of 460 with the Minnesota Vikings in 2022.

“The guys played hard,” coach Raheem Morris said. “They played to the end.”

After signing his big free agent deal with the Falcons, which included $100 million in guaranteed money, Cousins got off to sluggish start in Atlanta.

But he heard nothing but cheers on a night when the Falcons inducted longtime starting quarterback Matt Ryan into their Ring of Honor. Cousins even swayed to the rap hit “Swag Surfin” during the postgame celebration, firmly establishing his chops in the A-T-L.

Mayfield threw three touchdown passes, including a pair to Mike Evans, and Chase McLaughlin booted three field goals. The last of them was a 53-yarder that put the Buccaneers ahead 30-27 with 10:23 remaining.

Mayfield felt like he let this one slip away.

“All I care about is wins,” he said. “I've got to find a way to finish that game out on offense.”

The Falcons tied it with a gutty fourth-down call by Morris early in the fourth quarter.

After Tyler Allgeier was thrown for a 2-yard loss on third-and-2, the Falcons didn’t even consider a field goal from the Bucs 12.

Atlanta lined right back up and Cousins threw a pass to Darnell Mooney, who made the grab right at the marker but wasn’t content with just a first down. He shook off a tackler and scooted to the end zone.

Mooney also had a 24-yard touchdown catch during a wild first half that ended with the Buccaneers up 24-17.

Both offenses ran up and down the field over the first two quarters, combining for 488 yards, 28 first downs and just one punt,

Cousins had an 18-yard touchdown pass to London, who finished with 12 catches for 154 yards. Mooney had nine receptions for 105.

“I spread it around and the players made plays,” Cousins said. “I'm grateful for the progress we've made. We're getting better and better each week.”

Koo missed his first field goal of the year from 41 yards but connected from 54 and 48 yards before splitting the uprights with the tying kick.

Buccaneers: S Tykee Smith returned to the game after being evaluated for a possible head injury. ... LB Lavonte David hobbled to the sideline after taking a cut block from Falcons G Chris Lindstrom, but only missed a couple of plays. ... S Jordan Whitehead walked off slowly early in the fourth quarter with a groin injury.

Falcons: CB Dee Alford left the game in the first half with a concussion. ... London also took a blow to the head, but he was cleared to return before halftime. ... LB Troy Andersen, the NFC defensive player of the week, did not suit up because of a knee injury.

Buccaneers: Travel to New Orleans for an NFC South game against the Saints (2-2) on Oct. 13.

Falcons: Hit the road for the first time since Week 2 when they travel up I-85 to face the division rival Carolina Panthers (1-3) on Oct. 13.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) loses the football as he is sacked by Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Logan Hall (90) during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Logan Hall (90) sacks Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) shakes hands with Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield after the Falcons defeated the Buccaneers during overtime in an NFL football game Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge (12) celebrates with running back Bijan Robinson (7) after Hodge scored the game-wining touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during overtime in an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge (12) scores the game-wining touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during overtime in an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) celebrates with the fans after the team defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during overtime in an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Atlanta Falcons place kicker Younghoe Koo (6) celebrates his field goal against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) scrambles away from Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea (50) during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) celebrates with quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) after scoring against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean (35) breaks up a pass intended for Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney (1) makes a touchdown reception between Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Zyon McCollum (27) and safety Christian Izien (29) during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan reacts as he is inducted in the Falcons' Ring of Honor during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Logan Hall (90) reacts after sacking Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney (1) reacts after his score against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Jordan Whitehead (3) breaks up a pass intended for Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) works in the pocket against the New Orleans Saints during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris celebrates with wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge (12) after scoring against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during overtime in an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)