The New York Mets secure the NLCS berth with a 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 4

FLUSHING, Queens – Francisco Lindor hit a grand slam in the sixth inning, his final hit in a storybook season full of them, and the New York Mets advanced to the National League Championship Series with a 4-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday.

Edwin Díaz struck out Kyle Schwarber with two runners on to end the game as New York defeated the rival Phillies in Game 4 of their best-of-five Division Series, winning 3-1 and clinching a postseason series for the first time Home graduated in 24 years.

“I want to win everything. And our team will be remembered forever,” said Lindor. “This will be a team that comes every 10 years and eats for free everywhere they go. And that's what I want to do. I want to do that. But the work is not done yet.”

With tears in his eyes, outfielder Brandon Nimmo hugged Lindor as the Mets took the field in excitement after the finale.

Then, in a loud locker room, they enjoyed the franchise's first champagne-soaked victory celebration in Citi Field's 16-year history. The last time the Mets won a playoff series in their own stadium was the 2000 NLCS at Shea Stadium – which came 14 years after the last of the franchise's two World Series titles.

“This is the kind of thing I dreamed of,” Nimmo said in a clubhouse interview shown on the giant video board at center. “This has been a long time coming. We really wanted it for our fan base.”

After three days of rest, New York opens the best-of-seven NLCS on Sunday at the San Diego Padres or the Los Angeles Dodgers. San Diego led 2-1 in the NLDS heading into Game 4 on Wednesday night.

“Let's keep this thing going!” Mets slugger Pete Alonso told the cheering fans in the stands as he arrived from the clubhouse party for an on-field interview with his large goggles protecting his eyes. “So proud of this group. We’ve overcome so much.”

It was a bitter exit early in the playoffs and a disappointing regression after they advanced to the 2022 World Series for the NL East champion Phillies, who won 95 games in the regular season and finished six ahead of the wild-card Mets Games 6 and 7 of the 2023 NLCS at home against Arizona.

After falling short again in October, Bryce Harper and the Phillies are still searching for the franchise's third championship.

“We have a really great group. We were beaten in a short series,” said manager Rob Thomson.

Perhaps the Mets were overconfident with so much on the table when they left the bases loaded in the first and second against Ranger Suárez, leaving a total of eight runners stranded in the first five innings.

They put three runners on again in the sixth, this time with no one out, before No. 9 batter Francisco Alvarez came to the plate hard against All-Star reliever Jeff Hoffman.

With the season on the line, Thomson then called on closer Carlos Estévez to face Lindor, who drove a 2-1, 99 mph fastball into Philadelphia's bullpen in right-center, New York up 4-1 took the lead and the sellout team sent 44,103 spectators into a mad, bouncing, pounding frenzy.

“I knew right away,” Estévez said. “I knew I wanted to go a little higher on the field. Unfortunately it was more like down the middle instead of up and away, and when he hit the ball I knew he hit it really well.”

With his first home run of these playoffs, Lindor joined Shane Victorino and Hall of Fame slugger Jim Thome as the only major league players with two postseason grand slams. The star shortstop also scored for Cleveland at Yankee Stadium in Game 2 of the 2017 AL Division Series.

Edgardo Alfonzo hit the only other postseason slam in Mets history during a 1999 Division Series at Arizona.

“We had runners and couldn't come up with a big hit until finally who else? The MVP. I always say you could write a book. “You could make a movie because this is it right here,” Mets rookie manager Carlos Mendoza said.

“And then Lindor will do it again throughout the inning. There is no panic. The way he controls the emotions and hits the ball. It’s incredible.”

Fans chanted “MVP! MVP!” as Lindor disappeared into the dugout and again as he took his position on defense in the seventh.

Game 3 on Tuesday was Lindor's first opportunity to play at Citi Field since Sept. 8 after he missed time with a back injury.

But few, if any, players have been as valuable to their team this year as Lindor, who delivered a remarkable string of big hits and key contributions as the Mets recovered from a 24-35 start to their first NLCS since the Lost in the 2015 World Cup bounced back series to Kansas City.

His tying home run in the ninth inning on September 11 in Toronto ended Bowden Francis' no-hit attempt and sparked a decisive Mets victory. His leadoff run in the ninth inning on September 30 in Atlanta secured him a spot in the playoffs.

Lindor also battled back from a 1-2 score against All-Star closer Devin Williams last week in Milwaukee, issuing an eight-pitch walk leading off the ninth. In doing so, he helped set up Alonso's go-ahead home run that saved New York's season in the Wild. The highlight of the Card series.

“It was a tough fight. It was hard. But we’re still not where we want to be,” Lindor said. “That road was, yes, it was winding – but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Mets starter Jose Quintana did not allow an earned run in more than five innings of two-hit ball, and David Peterson pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings in the win.

Díaz walked his first two batters in the ninth, eliciting groans from the stands, but retired the next three – two on strikeouts – for the first postseason save of his career.

Aside from a late comeback and Game 2 win at home, the Phillies closed out the entire series at the plate, scoring their only run on an error by third baseman Mark Vientos in the fourth.

Hoffman suffered his second loss, the latest flop from a Philadelphia bullpen that failed to deliver the entire series.

“Partly it’s the execution, partly maybe the familiarity with our guys,” Thomson said. “I don't know it. But it should work both ways.”

Meanwhile, Mets fans at Citi Field showed their excitement over their team's big win on Wednesday night.

“I'm from Queens – I've been a fan my whole life. I'm 42,” said one Mets fan. “That’s what it’s all about – like I said – let’s win, baby! Padres, Dodgers – who’s next?”

Some fans even praised the team's good luck charm, Grimace.

“Absolutely! You have no idea. “Grimace is responsible for everything that happened tonight,” said one fan.

Fans also had a message for their cross-rival New York Yankees, who currently hold a 2-1 lead in their series against the Kansas City Royals.

“They lost every game this year and we have a lot of business to take care of from 24 years ago,” said one Mets fan.

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