Jose Quintana’s gem kept Mets afloat until their late heroics

MILWAUKEE — There was a good chance this could be Jose Quintana’s last start as a Met.

If so, he would have received a tremendous ovation the next time he visits Citi Field. 

Who knows what’s next, but Quintana did his best to ensure there would be another outing in a Mets uniform. 

The veteran lefty pitched better and longer than the Mets could have expected, keeping his team afloat.

They nearly drowned before Pete Alonso’s three-run homer made the difference in a stunning 4-2 win over the Brewers at American Family Field on Thursday night. 

Quintana was probably the fourth-most trusted starter on the club, left behind by a top three that formed in Sean Manaea, Luis Severino and David Peterson.

But Quintana excelled to close the season — posting a 0.74 ERA in his final six regular season starts — to elevate his standing and get the ball in the year’s most important game. 

And Quintana matched the moment. He consistently pitched around traffic, recording just one 1-2-3 inning, but kept the Brewers scoreless for six impeccable frames. 

A leadoff single from Jackson Chourio in the first was wasted. So was a leadoff double in the second by Gary Sanchez.

Quintana did not allow a hit with runners in scoring position, letting up just four hits in total while walking one and striking out five. 

Jose Butto appeared to be ready to enter the game in the sixth inning, when Brewers starter Tobias Myers already had been pulled and Quintana was at 77 pitches.

But Quintana remained to face the heart of the Milwaukee lineup for a third time.

Carlos Mendoza’s faith paid off as William Contreras flew out, Willy Adames struck out and Sanchez swung through strike three, leading Quintana to hop off the mound with a fist pump. 

The good times would not last. Butto entered and served up back-to-back home runs immediately. 

But Alonso’s ninth-inning blast ensured Quintana will be seen in a Mets jersey again.

The 35-year-old has been about what the Mets expected he would be in his two years, owning a combined 3.70 ERA in 44 starts and being dependable when healthy.

He has never been flashy, and his fastball will never break radar guns, but he consistently keeps hitters off-balance. 

The Mets, who likely will watch Quintana, Manaea and Severino hit free agency, will have plenty of holes to fill in their rotation. They can think about that another day.