Sean Manaea took a moment to honor his late aunt during his impressive NLDS Game 3 performance against the Phillies.
The Mets lefty revealed after the 7-2 win that his kiss to the sky was in remembrance of his aunt, who had died Tuesday morning.
“That was for my aunt,” he said. “Just got a message that she passed away early this morning. That game was for her.”
Manaea came out of the game in the top of the eighth inning after allowing Edmundo Sosa to reach on an infield single in the first at-bat of the frame.
After Manaea was taken out of the game, he walked toward the Mets dugout to cheers from the Citi Field crowd and tipped his cap back at them.
He then looked up at the sky and blew a kiss before continuing to make his way into the dugout.
Manaea appeared to have done something similar when he struck out Austin Hays to end the top of the seventh inning.
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The FS1 cameras caught him bringing his hand and glove to his mouth and blowing a kiss upward as he walked off the field.
Manaea threw seven innings, giving up just one run on three hits while striking out six to help put the Mets one win away from advancing to the NLCS.
“It’s just such a huge, amazing honor,” Manaea told the Fox broadcast after the game. “These fans have been so amazing the whole year. To go out there and pitch like that against the Phillies, unbelievable experience.”
Manaea then pivoted to shouting out his family back home processing the loss of a family member.
“Everyone back home I love you so much,” he continued. “I know what’s going on is tough, but we’ll pull through. I love you guys.”
Game 4 is on Wednesday at Citi Field.
