Mets Keep Hope Alive, Defeat Dodgers in Game 5 to Return NLCS to LA: Key Moments
NEW YORK — The New York Mets were optimistic Friday morning, believing they still had one last miracle in them.
They were determined not to let their season end without a fight.
The Mets proved their resolve by decisively beating the Los Angeles Dodgers, 12-6, in front of a packed crowd of 43,841 at Citi Field who shared their belief.
“We’re going to do our best to add to the story,” said Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo, “and create some more magic.”
After being outscored 30-9 in the first four games of the series and facing two shutouts, the Mets made a strong comeback, achieving their second-highest scoring game in franchise postseason history, and their largest tally in an elimination game.
“I believe in this group and the character of this team,’’ said Mets first baseman Pete Alonso, who ignited the scoring with a three-run homer in the first inning. “We have a lot of resilience.”
The Mets celebrated their vital win, but there was little time for relaxation as they prepared for a flight back to Los Angeles just hours after their victory.
They still face a tough challenge, down three games to two, as the National League Championship Series heads back to Dodger Stadium on Sunday.
Yet, the six-hour flight felt exceptionally promising for the Mets.
With newfound confidence, the Mets believe they may now have the advantageous pitching matchups for the remaining games.
In Game 6, Sean Manaea will pitch for the Mets, while the Dodgers are planning a bullpen game.
If the series extends to Game 7, anything could happen with Luis Severino on the mound for the Mets against Dodgers ace Walker Buehler.
“I think we’re all confident here,’’ Mets third baseman Mark Vientos expressed. “Sure, we’re up against the wall, but given the season we’ve had, this isn’t new to us.”
“We all have confidence, for sure.”
If there’s anyone who understands how swiftly the momentum can turn in a series, it’s Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
Having been part of the 2004 Red Sox, he knows that a critical moment can change everything, as they overcame a 3-0 deficit in the LCS — a first in MLB history.
“You’ll see how things can shift when a team builds momentum,’’ Roberts noted. “Based on my experiences, I respect that. But, of course, I was on the fortunate side of that.’’
Alonso, who witnessed his team endure heavy losses in the previous two games, ignited not only his teammates but the fans, and perhaps even sparked a new energy in this NLCS.
He launched a spectacular three-run homer measuring 432 feet into right-center field, and from that moment on, the Mets took control.
The Mets fans, who had little to cheer for during games 3 and 4, were on their feet, celebrating and singing along to the Temptations’ “My Girl” throughout the game.
Feeding off this surge of enthusiasm, the Mets’ offense, initially stifled by the Dodgers, unleashed their full potential.
They pummeled Dodgers starter Jack Flaherty with eight hits and eight runs over just three innings — the most lopsided outing by a Dodger starter in the postseason since Clayton Kershaw in Game 1 of the 2014 Division Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Mets struck early and often, scoring three runs in the first, five in the third, and adding two more in the fourth.
With 10 hits, featuring two doubles, one triple, and one homer, they built a commanding 10-2 lead after only four innings.
“That’s our identity,’’ said Mets manager Carlos Mendoza. “We have talented players, confident people. This group is resilient — they fight and never back down.”
Despite falling behind early, the Dodgers refused to surrender quietly, led by rookie center fielder Andy Pages, who had a standout performance.
Pages recorded a single in the third inning, followed by a solo homer in the fourth and a three-run homer in the fifth.
At just 23 years old, he became the youngest Dodger to hit two homers in a postseason game.
The Dodgers will now need to summon their own resilience as they return to Los Angeles, especially considering their tumultuous season marked by significant injuries — with 11 players currently on the injured list and only three starting pitchers available.
“It’s been an exciting journey,’’ Roberts reflected, “but we still have work to do. We know their backs are against the wall. We’ve got to continue playing good baseball.”
Here’s how Friday night’s game played out:
Mets Extend Lead to 12-6 Heading into Ninth
Starling Marte’s RBI single capped off the eighth inning, bringing home Pete Alonso and pushing the Mets’ lead to 12-6. They are just three outs away from sending the NLCS back to Los Angeles.
Mets and Dodgers exchange runs in the sixth: NY holds 11-6 lead
Mookie Betts kicked off the sixth inning with a solo home run off Ryne Stanek, narrowing the Dodgers’ trail to 10-6. The Mets, however, countered in the bottom half with a sacrifice fly by Jeff McNeil after loading the bases with no outs.
Andy Pages slams three-run homer: NY ahead 10-5
In the fifth inning, Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages smashed a three-run homer, marking his second of the game, bringing Los Angeles closer at 10-5. Mets right-hander Reed Garrett found himself in trouble after hitting Enrique Hernandez and walking Max Muncy.
The Dodgers are proving to be a challenge for the Mets.
Mets extend lead with two more runs in the fourth: NY up 10-2
In a crucial fourth inning, the Mets added more runs, sending seven players to bat against Brent Honeywell. Jesse Winker delivered an RBI triple, followed by an RBI single from Jeff McNeil, boosting New York’s lead to 10-2 as we enter the fifth frame.
Andy Pages homers while Mets leave bases loaded: NY leads 8-2
Andy Pages connected for a solo home run in the fourth with two outs, exchanging some words with catcher Francisco Alvarez when he crossed home plate.
David Peterson later allowed a bloop single to Shohei Ohtani, followed by walks to Mookie Betts and Teoscar Hernandez, loading the bases. Relief pitcher Reid Garrett faced the tough task of pitching to Freddie Freeman and managed to strike him out, ending the inning with the bases loaded.
Mets surge with five runs in the third: New York leads 8-1
The bottom of the third proved disastrous for the Dodgers as Pete Alonso and Jesse Winker opened the inning with walks. Starling Marte then hit a two-run double to the left field corner, pushing the score to 5-1 with no outs.
Jack Flaherty managed to retire the next two hitters, but the Mets then had three consecutive run-scoring hits with two outs: Francisco Alvarez’s RBI single, Francisco Lindor’s RBI triple, and Brandon Nimmo’s RBI single.
After pitching seven scoreless innings in Game 1, Flaherty struggled during the Dodgers’ opportunity to clinch.
Dodgers capitalize on wild pitch: Mets lead 3-1 halfway through two
Walks have been problematic for the Mets in this series; David Peterson allowed lead-off man Enrique Hernandez to get on base in the second. With two outs, Andy Pages’ single to center moved Hernandez to third, bringing up Shohei Ohtani.
Peterson threw a wild pitch that allowed a run to score and then walked Ohtani, putting Mookie Betts at the plate with runners on first and second. However, Betts ended the inning with a pop-up foul, having previously doubled and recorded four RBIs in the Dodgers’ Game 4 victory.
Pete Alonso’s home run gives Mets 3-0 advantage in the first
In what might be his last game with the Mets, Pete Alonso launched a three-run homer to center off Dodgers starter Jack Flaherty, providing New York with the boost they desperately needed after a lack of runs in this series.
David Peterson navigates first-inning trouble
Shohei Ohtani opened Game 5 with a single, and Mookie Betts followed with a double, placing runners on second and third with no outs for Mets starter David Peterson. The left-hander managed to retire Teoscar Hernandez (groundout), Freddie Freeman (lineout), and Tommy Edman (strikeout) to extinguish the threat, a crucial escape in what could have been a devastating inning for the Mets.
Dodgers vs Mets Game 5 details
The game is set to begin at 5:08 p.m. ET on Friday at Citi Field.
- Location: Citi Field, Queens, New York
- Date: Friday, Oct. 18
Dodgers vs Mets TV broadcast: NLCS Game 5
- Time: 5:08 p.m. ET
- Network: Fox Sports 1
- Stream: You can watch on Fubo (Regional restrictions may apply)
Dodgers lineup: NLCS Game 5
- Shohei Ohtani (L) DH
- Mookie Betts (R) RF
- Teoscar Hernández (R) LF
- Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
- Tommy Edman (S) SS
- Enrique Hernández (R) 2B
- Max Muncy (L) 3B
- Will Smith (R) C
- Andy Pages (R) CF
Mets lineup: NLCS Game 5
- Francisco Lindor (S) SS
- Brandon Nimmo (L) LF
- Mark Vientos (R) 3B
- Pete Alonso (R) 1B
- Jesse Winker (L) DH
- Starling Marte (R) RF
- Tyrone Taylor (R) CF
- Jeff McNeil (L) 2B
- Francisco Alvarez (R) C
