After getting blown out in Game 1 of the NLCS, the Mets roared back with a not-as-close-as-it-sounds, 7-3 win over the Dodgers in L.A. The Series now moves to New York for the next three games.
Francisco Lindor got things off to a great start with a leadoff homer to stake Sean Manaea to an early lead. And the Mets added five more runs in the second inning, highlighted by a grand slam by Mark Vientos.
The Dodgers got a solo homer in the fifth inning and added two more in the sixth. But those two runs were more on what the Mets did or didn’t do, rather than anything created by the home team. Mets pitchers issued three walks and the defense committed an error on what could very easily have been a double play ball. And the one hit in the inning was a ball that could have been fielded by Pete Alonso, who dove for the ball and was in position to make the play but didn’t get his glove down.
After the error, Carlos Mendoza pulled Manaea, which seemed an early pull to me. Phil Maton came on with the bases loaded and allowed two of those runs to score. But he escaped more damage by getting a double play ball to end the inning.
Both teams had multiple chances to add runs but were unable to score until the Mets added an insurance run in the top of the ninth, one created by the hustle of Alonso. After drawing a walk, Alonso stole second base and scored on a single to center field. It was a close play at the plate and Alonso was safe thanks to a very nice slide.
Ryne Stanek relieved Maton and gave 1.1 scoreless innings, looking very good in the process. And Edwin Diaz came on for a four-out save, stranding runners in both the eighth and ninth innings.
Mets pitchers allowed just five hits. But there was a lot of traffic, as they gave up eight walks. But they kept the Dodgers mostly in check, in part due to 11 strikeouts. The top five hitters for L.A. went a combined 0-19 with 9 Ks. Diaz struck out the Dodgers’ 2-3-4 hitters to end the game.
Best team goers with a Bullpen game in the second game of a playoff series! Baseball in the 2020s.
Gavin Stone led the Dodgers in starts during the regular season. Out due to shoulder surgery
Tyler Glasnow had the 2nd-most starts. Out due to elbow inflammation
Clayton Kershaw out due to bone spurs in his toe
Tony Gonsolin out due to elbow injury
The Dodgers aren’t pitching bullpen games because they don’t value SP – they’ve got 4 SP they’d love to use who are injured.
And yet they won more games than anyone else..
I’m confused – Do you have a point?
The Mets literally got out of Dodge with the split they needed. Nice bounce back from the game 1 drubbing. Vientos with a tremendous AB that resulted in the grand slam. Mr. Alvarez should take note. As usual, the Mets will make it interesting. Way too many walks. The fielding broke down some…Pete should have been charged with an error on that grounder. I too felt the hook was too quick on Manaea..it worked out, but the path from 1 out in the 6th to Diaz is scary. Stanek was excellent until he was gassed. The Mets seem to be short one quality pen arm in every game, yet somehow have made it to 1-1 in the NLCS. Yes, the Dodgers are very undermanned with respect to starters, but the Mets need to capitalize and get at least 18 outs from Severino with games on 3 straight days…that or their bats need to put up some big numbers in these home games.
Gut Reaction: Nice rebound.
Vientos is the best hitter on the team. Lindor is the best overall player on the team. They combined to power the Mets to a split.
They were lucky to survive the eight walks and only allow three runs.
Maton doesn’t look sharp in his recent appearances.
Marte had a three hit game. Winker reach base three times also.
My preference was Quintana to pitch for Game 3 and 7 because he is on a roll (2 ER, 29.1 IP) and at this point he is better than Severino.(16 ER, 28 IP).
Agree with you completely on Quintana. I would have liked to see him get game 3 and possibly 7. Severino has had his moments but Q is hot right now and the lefty matches up better with LA.
Well, the gamble is that Quintana has success by expanding the zone and the Dodgers are the best at not chasing…. I like Severino at Citifield.
Was so thrilled to get six quick runs and it felt very Deja Vu not adding on given the chances. Now the Dodgers know how it feels to be shutdown. Six of their players had 0-fers. The Mets had hits up and down the line with the notable absence of hits by Nimmo and Alvarez, both of whom did walk. Nimmo appears to be hobbling and Alvarez is lost at the plate. However, his contribution behind the plate cannot be minimized. Don’t understand McNeil not starting against a righty pen game in place of Iggy. Liked that Acuna was still on the roster so they were able to shift the fielders. McNeil had to sit and wait to see if they needed him as a pinch hitter.
On to Citi Field Wednesday night with Severino vs Buehler. LGM
Was at the game today. Great environment and absolutely perfect weather.
On the way in i told my friend the last 2 times ive been to Dodger stadium for mets games i missed a leadoff homerun. We were running abt 5 minutes late for first pitch and lo and behold….
Then When they walked Lindor in the 2nd inning I told my same friend that was a mistake that they would regret. And lo and behold.
Manaea looked great as did Stanek and Diaz actually looked the most comfortable I’ve seen him. Just throwing fastballs for the most part. Except the final strike. Haha.
I don’t think this series is coming back to LA.
Well, that last statement can go either way. Let’s hold on now…