The New York Mets defeat the Philadelphia Phillies 7-2 in Game 3

NEW YORK — Pete Alonso launched another homer off Aaron Nola, and Sean Mania hit two in the eighth inning as the New York Mets beat the Philadelphia Phillies 7-2 on Tuesday in Game 3 of their Division I division series.

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

Game 4 is Wednesday at Citi Field, where All-Star Ranger Suarez (12-8, 3.46 ERA) is scheduled to start for Philadelphia against fellow lefty Jose Quintana (10-10, 3.75 ERA).

With the win, New York advances to the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers or San Diego Padres.

The holdover was lifted after the first single was allowed to start the eighth. The big left-hander, who blossomed into New York’s star during the second half of the season, received hearty pats on the chest from teammates and a standing ovation from the towel-waving crowd of 44,093 as he walked off the mound.

Manaea struck out six and walked two to earn his first playoff win after entering 0-3 with a 10.66 ERA in his postseason career.

Manaa held on to a 2-0 lead, and escaped major trouble in the sixth game. After making back-to-back walks to start the inning, he received a big visit from pitching coach Jeremy Hefner and struck out star pitcher Bryce Harper on three off-speed pitches.

Nick Castellanos then lined a double play to end the inning, as the Mets’ center field double off Kyle Schwarber at second base. The amplified maniac shouted “Let’s go!” When he bounced off the hill.

Alonso sent Nola’s first pitch of the second deep into right field. He flipped his bat high in the air on his way to first base when the ball reached the front row of the second deck.

It was Alonso’s second home run of the Series and third in New York’s last four playoff games. All of those were to the opposite field – the slugger went the other way on just four of his 34 homers during the regular season.

Nola and Alonso have been facing off since their college days in the Southeastern Conference, but the matchup has been one-sided in the majors. This was Alonso’s sixth homer from the right-hander, after entering with a .320 batting average and 1.050 OPS in 54 games against him.

Phillies manager Rob Thompson left Nola on the mound in the sixth to face Alonso, who tied New York’s second straight walk after Mark Ventus’ leadoff single.

With the bases loaded, Orion Kerkering replaced Nola and had two outs before Marte’s two-run single made it 4-0.

Brandon Nimmo and Alonso drew back-to-back runs to load the bases again in the seventh inning before Jose Iglesias added a single off Jose Ruiz with two outs.

Harper and Castellanos each hit an RBI single in the eighth before Ryne Stanek retired Alec Bohm to end the inning.

Francisco Lindor, who played his first home game since September 8 due to a back injury, scored twice in the bottom half to make the score 7-2.

The lively Winker connected for a solo shot in the fourth inning and watched all the way from home plate as his first career postseason homer soared into the second in right.