Mets rally to defeat Dodgers, evening NLCS: Key Moments
LOS ANGELES — The strategy of the Los Angeles Dodgers to employ a bullpen game backfired significantly, especially considering they had a well-rested starting pitcher available.
The plan fell apart.
And in a big way.
The New York Mets pounced on the Dodgers early and secured a 7-3 win, leaving Los Angeles with renewed confidence.
With the National League Championship Series tied at one game each, the Mets now head back to New York for the next three games at Citi Field, starting Tuesday with Game 3.
“Every opportunity to play in front of our fans at Citi Field is special, especially given their incredible support during the playoffs and the last couple of months,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “It’s an exciting and intense atmosphere, and we’re really looking forward to it.”
After suffering a heavy 9-0 loss in Game 1, the Mets made a strong comeback just 17 hours later and delivered a powerful performance.
The action began with, of course, Francisco Lindor, arguably the standout player in the National League this season aside from Shohei Ohtani, who kicked off the game with a massive home run to right field against Dodgers opener Ryan Brasier.
“I want to win it all,” Lindor stated last week. “This will be a team remembered for a long time. We’ll be the type of team that gets to eat for free wherever we go for the next decade.”
Lindor’s homer set an exciting tone, prompting the Dodgers to show him extra caution that ultimately cost them.
The Mets expanded their lead to 2-0 in the second inning when Tyrone Taylor, batting eighth, hit a double that brought in a run. Following that, catcher Francisco Alvarez popped up for the second out. With first base open, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts decided to intentionally walk Lindor.
This decision set the stage for third baseman Mark Vientos, who had a strong NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies but struggled in Game 1. Vientos, starting down in the count 1-and-2, battled back against pitcher Zack Knack, consistently fighting off pitches until he finally connected with a fastball, launching it over the right-center-field fence for a grand slam. That brought his postseason RBI total to 11, just shy of the Mets’ franchise record.
Suddenly, the Mets led 6-0, and starting pitcher Sean Manaea took control, managing the game well despite a few late-game scares.
Although the Dodgers tightened the game to 6-3, they had several runners on base in the last four innings, even bringing the tying run to the plate in the eighth inning, but NL Division Series hero Enrique Hernandez flew out to right.
As the Dodgers trailed 7-3, they made one last push in the ninth with the first two batters reaching safely, but closer Edwin Diaz held firm, striking out Mookie Betts, Teoscar Hernandez, and Freddie Freeman.
Manaea was impressive, giving up only a solo homer to Max Muncy through the first five innings, before losing his command. Problems emerged when he walked Betts and Teoscar Hernandez, leading to a critical moment when Freeman hit a sharp grounder to second. A potential double play fell apart as the ball went under Jose Iglesias’ glove.
Manaea was forced from the game after that, replaced by Phil Maton, who managed to get a pop-out for the first out. However, Tommy Edman hit a sharp grounder that went off first baseman Pete Alonso’s glove, allowing two runs to score.
When Muncy walked, the Dodgers loaded the bases again, facing Hernandez, who grounded to Vientos at third. A bobble resulted in a throw to Iglesias for the second out, who barely got Hernandez at first after a struggle. The Dodgers challenged the calls but were unsuccessful, leading Manaea to celebrate, pounding his hand on the railing.
For Manaea, this game was a moment of redemption.
He entered the playoffs with a tough history, including a 15.26 ERA and a 7.09 ERA in 11 prior starts against the Dodgers. This game marked a significant turnaround in his postseason journey.
Despite having had previous success against Manaea, Shohei Ohtani went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts, while Betts, who had a remarkable record against him, went hitless in two at-bats with a walk.
Freeman, with a solid history against Manaea, also went hitless in three at-bats, as did Will Smith who was 9-for-18 against him but failed to secure a hit in two at-bats with a strikeout.
Sean Manaea pitched five innings in the wild card series against the Milwaukee Brewers. He allowed three hits and one run over seven innings in the NL Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. In Monday’s NLCS game, he surrendered only two hits and struck out seven batters.
“I have had challenges with some teams over the years,” Manaea shared. “The baseball gods continue to grant me chances to showcase my skill and deliver positive results time and again.”
The Dodgers, encouraged by their ability to make a game of it after being down by six runs, plan to revert to a traditional pitching lineup for the next three games. They will be starting Walker Buehler, who was well-rested and ready to pitch on Tuesday in Game 3, followed by Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Game 4, and returning to Flaherty for Game 5.
Additionally, they will travel to New York with a well-rested bullpen.
“From the last series, we’ve realized there are numerous capable pitchers in the bullpen,” Roberts remarked. “In a longer series, I feel confident utilizing these guys whenever needed. The trust level is at an all-time high and it’s mutually beneficial.”
Here’s a recap of Monday’s game, with live updates provided by Jordan Mendoza
Mets add important insurance run in ninth
LOS ANGELES — In the ninth inning, New York increased their lead to 7-3 with Starling Marte’s RBI single, bringing Pete Alonso home just in time before the throw reached the plate.
Heading into the ninth: Mets 6, Dodgers 3
LOS ANGELES — New York is entering the final inning leading after preventing the Dodgers from scoring in the eighth.
With two outs, Tommy Edman and Max Muncy reached base against Ryne Stanek. Carlos Mendoza decided it was time to call on Edwin Diaz for a four-out save. Diaz came in and struck out Kiké Hernández, ending the inning.
– Jordan Mendoza
Dodgers score two runs: 6-3 Mets after six
LOS ANGELES — Tommy Edman hit a ground ball that just slipped past Pete Alonso’s glove, allowing Mookie Betts and Teoscar Hernandez to score with the bases loaded while Phil Maton relieved Sean Manaea.
The Dodgers loaded the bases again after Max Muncy’s walk, but Maton managed to get Kiké Hernández to hit into a double play to end the inning.
The Mets go into the seventh inning leading 6-3.
Sean Manaea taken out in sixth
LOS ANGELES — Despite a stellar performance, Sean Manaea exited Game 2 under pressure.
He allowed only one run over five innings but began the sixth with consecutive walks to Mookie Betts and Teoscar Hernandez. Freddie Freeman, dealing with a severely injured ankle, hit a grounder to second, but Jose Iglesias couldn’t handle it, loading the bases.
Phil Maton is now on for Manaea.
Surprise visitor in the Dodgers dugout!
LOS ANGELES — There’s a snake in the dugout?
As the Dodgers were leaving the field in the fifth inning, pitcher Brent Honeywell spotted something on the stairs. A camera then caught a small snake slithering around the Dodgers’ side of the field.
A team member quickly grabbed the snake with a towel to remove it from the area.
Max Muncy hits home run, Dodgers score
LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers finally got on the scoreboard when Max Muncy launched a home run to right field, making it a 6-1 game in the fifth inning.
This marked just the second hit Los Angeles managed against Sean Manaea, who has fanned seven batters today.
Sean Manaea strong against Dodgers
LOS ANGELES — Sean Manaea has had his struggles against the Dodgers in the past, but he has been impressively dominant at the start of this game.
The Mets’ left-hander struck out six batters and allowed just one hit through three innings, including two strikeouts against Shohei Ohtani and a strikeout of the side in the third inning.
– Jordan Mendoza
Dodgers escape bases-loaded situation, still 6-0
LOS ANGELES — It has been a challenging start for Dodgers pitching tonight, but they managed to avoid further trouble in a precarious situation.
Landon Knack loaded the bases but successfully got out of it, as Francisco Alvarez flew out to center with two outs. The score remains 6-0 in favor of New York as we head into the bottom of the third.
– Jordan Mendoza
Mark Vientos hits grand slam: Mets lead 6-0
LOS ANGELES — The Mets offense has started Game 2 with a powerful bang.
Mark Vientos belted a grand slam to right center field on a 3-2 pitch with two outs and the bases loaded, propelling the Mets to a commanding 6-0 lead in just the second inning. Earlier in the inning, Tyrone Taylor had secured an RBI double for the Mets’ second run.
Landon Knack, who relieved Ryan Brasier to start the second inning, ended up giving up the grand slam.
Francisco Lindor hits a home run to start Game 2
The Dodgers’ record-tying span of 33 scoreless innings came to an end with the very first batter of Game 2 when Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor launched a solo homer to right field off Ryan Brasier.
The Dodgers had not allowed a run since the second inning in Game 3 of the NLDS against the Padres.
Mets roster for Game 2
- Francisco Lindor (S) SS
- Mark Vientos (R) 3B
- Brandon Nimmo (L) LF
- Pete Alonso (R) 1B
- Starling Marte (R) RF
- Jesse Winker (L) DH
- Jose Iglesias (R) 2B
- Tyrone Taylor (R) CF
- Francisco Alvarez (R) C
Dodgers roster: NLCS Game 2
- Shohei Ohtani (L) DH
- Mookie Betts (R) RF
- Teoscar Hernández (R) LF
- Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
- Will Smith (R) C
- Tommy Edman (S) SS
- Max Muncy (L) 3B
- Enrique Hernández (R) 2B
- Andy Pages (R) CF
Dodgers showcase ‘pitching clinic’ in Game 1 victory
LOS ANGELES — Jack Flaherty, a Los Angeles native, pitched at Dodger Stadium during his high school years, always dreaming of one day becoming a Dodger.
However, even in his wildest dreams, he could not have imagined What a night it was!
Flaherty delivered an outstanding pitching performance, allowing only two hits in seven innings without conceding a run. This exceptional outing helped the Dodgers secure a commanding 9-0 victory over the New York Mets during Game 1 of the National League Championship Series on Sunday evening at Dodger Stadium.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts remarked, “It was truly a pitching clinic.”
– Bob Nightengale
