Unlikely Hero: McCarthy’s Walk-Off Puts Panthers on Top

Inserted late as a pinch-runner, McCarthy became the unlikely star of Game 3, blooping a two-out single into left-center in the bottom of the ninth to score Jason Heyward and give Brooklyn a 2–1 walk-off win over the Buffalo Braves.

It was another tense, low-scoring classic between these two evenly matched clubs. Brooklyn struck first on a sacrifice fly from Ha-Seong Kim in the opening frame, while Buffalo tied it in the fourth on Christian Yelich’s sharp RBI single. From there, the pitching took over.

Luis Gil and Garrett Crochet both dazzled, Gil allowing just three hits across five innings, Crochet striking out nine in six. Brooklyn’s bullpen followed with four perfect innings, capped by Edwin Uceta earning his second win of the postseason.

The winning rally began with Heyward’s leadoff walk against closer Blake Treinen. After a steal and a bunt moved him to third,

McCarthy, the late substitution, lofted a soft line drive just beyond the infield, sealing the victory and sending Ebbetts Field into chaos.

Brooklyn now leads the series 2–1, built not just on star power, but on the kind of clutch moments that October baseball seems to save for its most unexpected names. W – Uceta (2–0)

L – Treinen (0–1)

HR – None