With one swing of the bat, Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor put New York just a few outs away from reaching the NLCS for the first time since 2015.
The Mets were trailing the Phillies by one run with one out in the sixth inning of an elimination Game 4 for Philadelphia when Lindor stepped to the plate. New York had already failed to convert two bases-loaded opportunities earlier in the one-run contest, but the 2024 NL MVP candidate wasn't going to let another one pass his team by.
The Phillies went to closer Carlos Estevez three innings earlier than he's used to taking the mound, but they needed their flamethrower to try and shut down one of the hottest hitters in baseball.
Lindor wasn't phased by Estevez's high heat, cashing in with a clutch grand slam to put the Mets in the driver's seat to win the NLDS at home.
MORE: MLB playoff bracket 2024: Full schedule, TV channels, scores
Francisco Lindor grand slam
Lindor has been one of the most clutch hitters in baseball all season.
With the Mets trailing by one run with the bases loaded and one out in the sixth inning, it's poetic that the star shortstop stepped to the plate in the biggest moment.
Philadelphia, trailing 2-1 in the series, wanted to fight fire with fire, so the club brought in closer Estevez to relieve the struggling Jeff Hoffman, who was responsible for all three runners on base.
Estevez didn't shy away from attacking Lindor, throwing fastballs of 100, 100 and 99 miles per hour to reach a 2-1 count.
Lindor was ready for the gas on the fourth pitch of the at-bat, launching a 99-mile-per-hour fastball 398 feet to center field for a go-ahead grand slam that erupted the Citi Field crowd.
FRANCISCO LINDOR. GRAND SLAM. #NLDS pic.twitter.com/CdKuEVOfT3
— MLB (@MLB) October 9, 2024
The best part? Lindor, who is always cool, calm and collected, hardly even reacted to his monumental blast.
In a day and age where poses and bat flips are common, celebrated and criticized, the Mets MVP candidate rounded the bases as if he had just hit any other home run.
This one just happened to clear the bases to give New York a 4-1 lead, putting his team nine outs away from advancing to the NLCS.
The Mets' bullpen held off Philadelphia's bats, keeping the score stagnant after Lindor's home run to take Game 4 and win the NLDS. Now, they await the winner of Dodgers vs. Padres to find out their NLCS opponent.
Francisco Lindor Game 4 stats
- At-bats: 5
- Hits: 2
- Runs: 1
- RBI: 4
- HRs: 1
- Ks: 2
Lindor went 2-for-5 with a double, a grand slam, four RBIs and one run. He struck out twice and lined out to left in his other three at-bats.
SN's MLB HQ: Live MLB scores | Updated MLB standings | Full MLB schedule
Francisco Lindor contract
The Mets acquired Lindor via trade from Cleveland during the 2020 offseason for IFs Andrés Giménez and Amed Rosario and two prospects. New York also landed SP Carlos Carrasco in the deal.
With just one year remaining on Lindor's contract, the Mets didn't wait to lock up the star shortstop long-term. He signed a 10-year, $341 million extension with New York, making him the highest-paid player in franchise history.
Lindor already earned his money with the MVP-caliber season he put together in 2024. The megadeal will keep him in a Mets uniform through 2031.
| Year | Age | Payroll |
| 2022 | 28 | $34.1 million |
| 2023 | 29 | $34.1 million |
| 2024 | 30 | $34.1 million |
| 2025 | 31 | $34.1 million |
| 2026 | 32 | $34.1 million |
| 2027 | 33 | $34.1 million |
| 2028 | 34 | $34.1 million |
| 2029 | 35 | $34.1 million |
| 2030 | 36 | $34.1 million |
| 2031 | 37 | $34.1 million |
| 2032 | 38 | UFA |
