LOS ANGELES — Sean Manaea may have significantly aided the Mets’ efforts on Monday simply by how he handled the Dodgers’ leadoff batter.
Shohei Ohtani recorded no hits in three at-bats with two strikeouts against the Mets’ left-hander, which played a crucial role in limiting the powerful Dodgers lineup.
Manaea pitched five innings, allowing two earned runs on two hits while issuing four walks. His performance included giving up a home run to Max Muncy in the fifth inning, and a walk to Mookie Betts in the sixth that led to the Dodgers scoring their second run.
“He’s just one of the guys in the lineup and I was trying to do my job and put up zeroes,” Manaea stated after the Mets secured a 7-3 victory in Game 2 of the NLCS at Dodger Stadium. He acknowledged Ohtani’s talent while emphasizing the need to focus on the next batter.
Manager Carlos Mendoza praised Manaea’s performance, noting that he effectively maintained his aggressiveness on the mound. “He was not only getting ahead, but staying on the attack. A perfect example was the way he went after Ohtani in the first couple of at-bats. I thought everything was working,” Mendoza remarked.
Meanwhile, Brandon Nimmo’s left foot, which has been troubling him due to plantar fasciitis since May, is getting daily treatment. However, it has not reached a severity that would remove him from the lineup. Nimmo aggravated the injury in the NLDS against the Phillies and was pinch-hit for in the ninth inning of a game where the Mets were significantly behind.
Mendoza explained that Nimmo’s pain is most severe when he slows down from jogging, but running at full speed is manageable. “He is going to have to continue to get treatment and take medicine, going day by day,” Mendoza added.
Mendoza has also confirmed that Luis Severino will start for the Mets in Game 3 on Wednesday. The right-hander left before the first pitch to return to New York, while the Dodgers are set to start Walker Buehler.
Additionally, Francisco Lindor hit a leadoff homer, marking the sixth time a Mets player has achieved this feat in postseason history. The last player to do so was Curtis Granderson during Game 5 of the 2015 World Series, with Jose Reyes, Lenny Dykstra, Wayne Garrett, and Tommie Agee also on the list.