MILWAUKEE – Rhys Hoskins hit a grand slam off Sean Manaea in the first inning and the New York Mets’ playoff hopes took a hit Friday night with an 8-4 loss to the NL Central champion Milwaukee Brewers.

The Mets, Arizona Diamondbacks and Atlanta Braves are chasing the final two National League wild cards. The Mets and Braves have identical 87-71 records after Atlanta beat the Kansas City Royals 3-0 on Friday. The Diamondbacks were 88-71 heading into their Friday night game with the San Diego Padres.

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Mets manager Carlos Mendoza was ejected by plate umpire Ramon De Jesus after arguing a called third strike on Francisco Alvarez that thwarted a rally attempt in the fourth inning.

New York’s loss spoiled the return of shortstop Francisco Lindor, who went 2 for 4 and committed an error in his first appearance since Sept. 15. Lindor had played only one inning over the Mets’ past 10 games due to lower back pain.

Hoskins’ first-inning drive was his third grand slam and the Brewers’ 10th of the season, both tying franchise records.

The only other Brewers to have three grand slams in a season were John Jaha in 1995, Devon White in 2001 and John Vander Wal in 2003. The only other year the Brewers hit 10 grand slams was in 1995.

Milwaukee’s Brice Turang went 3 for 4 with three runs and three steals – increasing his season total to 50. Gary Sánchez homered.

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The only other players in franchise history to have at least 50 steals in a season were Tommy Harper (73 in 1969), Scott Podsednik (70 in 2005), Jonathan Villar (62 in 2016) and Pat Listach (54 in 1992). Harper’s 73 steals came in the franchise’s inaugural season, when they were the Seattle Pilots.

Milwaukee improved to 11-1 in its last 12 games against the Mets, including a 4-0 record this year.

Hoskins’ slam gave the Brewers an early 4-0 lead over Manaea, who had allowed more than three runs in only one of his last 12 starts. Manaea (12-6) gave up six runs — five earned — while lasting just 3 2/3 innings. New York had won his previous eight outings.

The Mets trailed 5-0 before Mark Vientos hit a two-run shot off starter Frankie Montas in the third.

New York then had runners on first and second with two outs in the fourth when Alvarez worked a 10-pitch at-bat before he struck out looking at a 3-2 pitch that appeared a bit low.

The Mets scored two runs off Hoby Milner in the eighth to cut Milwaukee’s lead to 7-4, but a brilliant catch by rookie Jackson Chourio in deep left-center helped limit the damage. Sánchez provided more breathing room with a 425-foot shot to left off Alex Young in the bottom half.

Joe Ross (3-6) pitched three innings of shutout relief to earn the win. Trevor Megill got the final out in the eighth and worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 21st save in 24 opportunities.

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Brewers RF Sal Frelick left after crashing into the sidewall while trying to make a leaping catch of a foul ball in the third inning. Frelick walked slowly to the bench and got helped toward the clubhouse.

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Mets LHP Jose Quintana (10-9) will start Saturday night in the middle game of the series. Milwaukee had not announced a starting pitcher.

MILWAUKEE – A car fire spread to a motel on Milwaukee’s far northwest side on Friday afternoon.

It happened at Port Motel near Appleton and Silver Spring just before 4 p.m. The motel was evacuated, and firefighters put the fire out in less than an hour.

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The battalion chief told FOX6 News that no one was hurt, but the Red Cross is helping some people who were displaced.

The Milwaukee Fire Investigation Unit and Milwaukee Police Department are investigating the cause.

With a new Milwaukee Brewers postseason journey comes new food offerings at American Family Field.

Delaware North and Blackshoe Hospitality have revealed a handful of new food options at the ballpark — some that will be available throughout postseason, and others that will only be around for the first round.

Milwaukee — the No. 3 seeded team in the National League — will be facing the No. 6 seeded team in a best-of-three wild-card series at the Brewers stadium. That series is currently scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

“We are excited to offer new menu items to our fans during the postseason,” Kevin Jezewski, Delaware North’s general manager at Am Fam Field, said in a news release. “Our goal is to enhance the game-day experience with delicious food and beverage options that reflect the excitement and energy of playoff baseball.”

If the Brewers progress through postseason play, additional menu items would be announced, the release noted.

New food options available throughout the Brewers postseason

• 2-foot Nacho Box: A bed of tortilla chips topped with pulled chicken, fresh pico, scallions, jalapenos and sour cream in a 2-foot Brewers Nacho Box.
• Triple Play: Two bratwursts, cheese curds and french fries.

New food options available exclusively during the first round of the Brewers postseason

• Popper Dog: A breaded and fried hot dog topped with onion cream cheese spread, nacho cheese, pickled jalapeno, bacon and everything bagel seasoning.
• Chicken Bacon Ranch Melt: Chopped fried chicken, bacon, cheddar and ranch aioli served on telera bread.
• 3rd Street Market Hall Birria Tacos: Two brisket birria tacos served with consomé.

How to get tickets to the Brewers’ first round of postseason games at American Family Field

Single-game tickets for the first round of postseason games at Am Fam Field are available at brewers.com/Postseason, 800-933-7890 or at the ballpark’s box office.