Mike McGarry
NEW YORK -- The Philadelphia Phillies had a start to remember this season.
The ending is something they'd like to forget.
The Phillies were 40-18 in first place in the National League East at the end of May.
The fast start created expectations they never fulfilled.
The Phillies were 33-33 after the All-Star break.
Their season ended Wednesday when they lost Game 4 of the National League Division Series to the New York Mets 4-1. New York won the best-of-five series three games to one.
What follows is a Game 4 review:
STAR: Francisco Lindor: The Mets shortstop's grand slam off reliever Carlos Estévez in the bottom of the sixth inning was the difference.
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"We were one swing away," Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. "And today our MVP came through, again."
DUD: It would be easy to name Estévez the dud. But how about the entire Phillies offense? Kyle Schwarber batted .125 in the series. J.T. Realmuto didn't have a hit. Alec Bohm batted .077.
THE TURNING POINT: Obviously, it's Lindor's home run.
"I was just trying to get a good pitch in the zone," Lindor said. "I felt like I got a good one early, and I missed it."
BY THE NUMBERS: 12.35: The Phillies' bullpen ERA for the series.
YOU DON'T SAY: "Now you have a little bit of both. Started off hot and kind of (struggled) down the stretch. Have to get mentally right this offseason. We know what we have to do. You learn lessons the hard way sometimes. Now we know what we have to do through 162. It has to be consistent, strong and finish the thing out."
Starting pitcher Zack Wheeler on the team's fast start and slow finish, which was in contrast to the past two seasons.
WHAT'S NEXT: The Phillies' season is over. They open the 2025 season March 27 in Washington against the Nationals.
Contact: 609-272-7209
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