Manaea goes 7 strong innings, Alonso homers again as Mets take NLDS lead over Phillies

Pete Alonso launched another homer off Aaron Nola, and Sean Manaea took a two-hit shutout into the eighth inning as the New York Mets beat the Philadelphia Phillies 7-2 on Tuesday in Game 3 of their NL Division Series.

Jesse Winker also went deep and Starling Marte had a pivotal two-run single to help the wild-card Mets, playing their first home game in 16 days, grab a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five set.

Game 4 is Wednesday, with All-Star Ranger Suarez scheduled to start for Philadelphia against fellow lefty Jose Quintana. A win advances New York to the National League Championship Series to face the Los Angeles Dodgers or San Diego Padres.

The Mets have never had a clinching celebration at Citi Field, which opened in 2009.

"We're looking to finish this and be done. They're looking to try and extend the series and get back to Philadelphia. So it's a battle of wills tomorrow and we'll see what happens," New York outfielder Brandon Nimmo said.

After reaching the 2022 World Series and Game 7 of last year's NLCS, the NL East champion Phillies are on the brink of an early playoff exit at the hands of the rival Mets.

"I know it got out that I had spoken to the team," manager Rob Thomson said. "Basically it's just very simple: You come in here tomorrow, and I told them it's the most resilient club I've ever been around. That's what they're all about. They're all about toughness and fighting and playing together. That's what we need to do, and just focus on one game."

Manaea was lifted after allowing an infield single to start the eighth. The big left-hander, who blossomed into New York's ace during the second half of the season, received hearty pats on the chest from teammates and a standing ovation from the towel-waving sellout