Pete Alonso hit a three-run homer in the first inning and the Mets took advantage of the early lead to come away with a 12-6 win over the Dodgers Friday afternoon at Citi Field. The team that has scored first has won all five games in the series, which L.A. leads, 3-2. Having staved off elimination with the win, the Mets forced a Game 6 in Los Angeles Sunday night.
The Mets banged out 14 H and added 5 BB and 3 HBP. And they finally got some hits with RISP, as they went 5-19 in that key metric. It doesn’t sound like much but after going 0-10 on Thursday, it was like a godsend. By comparison, the Dodgers – who came into the game batting .333 with RISP – went 1-7.
After putting up three runs in the first, the Mets added five more in the third, with Starling Marte providing a two-run double and Francisco Lindor an RBI triple. And when they added two more in the fourth, it seemed like the rout was on.
But the Dodgers used the long ball to get back in the game, with a 3-run homer and a solo shot making it 10-6. It was an open question if the Mets’ pen would be able to hold the lead.
Starter David Peterson was pulled after 3.2 innings, relieved by Reed Garrett, who gave up the 3-run homer. The unsung star of the game was Ryne Stanek, who pitched 2.1 innings before handing the ball over to Edwin Diaz for a six-out save.
Five Mets had multi-hit games, led by Marte, who delivered four hits and three RBIs. Alonso had four runs scored and Jesse Winker had two hits, a walk and three runs scored. Even Francisco Alvarez got in on the act, as he had three hits, a run and an RBI.
It was so nice to see the offensive outburst, especially knocking out the Dodgers starter who held them scoreless in Game 1. And the Mets did that with Mark Vientos posting an 0-5 night.
It would have been really disappointing if the Dodgers came into New York, swept three games and celebrated at Citi Field. Friday’s victory kept that from happening. The Mets still have a giant hole to climb out of but the Dodgers are looking at a bullpen game on Sunday, which should give the Mets some hope.
Stranger things have happened.
This game was so much better to watch than last night. Did Alvarez finally break through? Did Alonso find plate discipline? Has Marte really hit his stride? Will they leave Winker and McNeil in the lineup?
I like this Diaz who plowed through two innings on just 23 pitches. I also like getting hits with RISP and seizing the moment. Off to LA to even up! LGM
Tremendous team win despite numerous mistakes and those dreaded bases on balls.
Besides the risk of Stanek’s arm falling off, the Mets had back to LA with their top two starters slotted in and their closer reasonably rested vs a Dodger staff in sub-optimal position. McNeil, Winker, and Alvarez are finding their stroke. With the 2024 Mets, this favorable positioning now freightens me.
The article noted the Mets went 5-19 in RISP situations. However Jeff McNeil had 2 sacrifice flies, which does not help the RISP but does get those 2 runs across.
Game 6s in Mets history…
1973 World Series: Lost game 6
1986 NLCS: Won game 6 (Series winner [Houston Marathon])
1986 World Series: Won game 6 (Buckner)
1988 NLCS: Won game 6
1999 NLCS: Lost Game 6 (Series loser [Kenny Rogers])
2006 NLCS: Won game 6
2024 NLCS: ???
Gut Reaction: The Mets are going to California. Alsono punched that ticket with a three-run homerun in the first inning.
Winker instead of Martinez paid off. Marte, who was slumping, had also a real good game. McNeil drove in two runs with two sacrifice flys. Stanek and Diaz were pushed with their innings. Mendoza’s option were somewhat limited though because without the “extra” reliever, Ottavino, to mop up one or two innings the bullpen was somewhat short.