NEW YORK – The Mets’ return to the National League Championship Series did not go as they had hoped.
Coming back to New York with the series tied, the Mets struggled against the Dodgers’ offense and were unable to score themselves.
The outcome was disappointing for the Mets, who were shut out for the second time in the series, suffering an 8-0 defeat to the Dodgers in front of a sold-out crowd of 43,883 at Citi Field on Wednesday night.
After falling behind by two runs in the second inning, the Mets’ situation worsened with a two-run homer from Kike Hernandez in the sixth and a three-run blast by Shohei Ohtani in the eighth.
The Mets now find themselves trailing the Dodgers in the NLCS, 2-1, with Game 4 set for 8:08 p.m. on Thursday at Citi Field.
Here are the key updates and analysis from NLCS Game 3 between the Mets and Dodgers:
Tylor Megill gives up second home run of the night to Max Muncy
The Mets needed Tylor Megill to step up for them in Game 3, but the game did not unfold well for the pitcher-turned-reliever.
After allowing a three-run homer to Shohei Ohtani in the eighth inning, Max Muncy hit a belt-high cutter into the second deck in right field, extending the Dodgers’ lead to 8-0.
Shohei Ohtani crushes his first home run of the NLCS in the eighth inning
Shohei Ohtani had a quiet start to the game, going 0-for-3 with a walk in the first seven innings. However, when given a chance to drive in runs in the eighth inning, Ohtani seized the moment. With two runners on base against Tylor Megill, he launched an inside cutter over the right-field foul pole, putting the Dodgers ahead 7-0.
Mets’ rally fizzles with Jose Iglesias double play
The Mets had a potential rally going in the bottom of the sixth inning with two runners on base against Dodgers reliever Ryan Brasier after Starling Marte’s single and J.D. Martinez’s walk. However, Jose Iglesias hit into a double play, ending the inning and keeping the Dodgers ahead 4-0.
Kike Hernandez doubles the Dodgers’ lead off Reed Garrett
Reed Garrett nearly had a perfect sixth inning but fell short. After Tommy Edman’s single into right field, Kike Hernandez homered over the left-field wall, increasing the Dodgers’ lead to 4-0.
Short outings for Walker Buehler and Luis Severino
Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler lasted four innings, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out six batters. He threw 90 pitches, including 18 swings and misses.
Mets pitcher Luis Severino was removed after conceding a two-out single to Freddie Freeman and walking Max Muncy in the fifth. He ended the night with 4⅔ innings pitched, giving up two runs (none earned), three hits, and four walks while striking out three.
Francisco Lindor turns in a great play to rob Mookie Betts
In the fifth inning, Francisco Lindor, recently overlooked as a Gold Glove finalist, made a sliding play to his right to snag a ground ball off Mookie Betts, preventing a hit.
Luis Severino escapes a bases-loaded jam
After starting with a perfect first inning, Luis Severino confronted trouble in the third. He walked Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts and allowed a single to Max Muncy, loading the bases. However, Severino managed to get Teoscar Hernandez to line out and Gavin Lux to ground out, escaping the threat. After three innings, he had thrown 66 pitches, with the Dodgers leading 2-0.
Mets squander opportunity with bases loaded
The Mets had a significant chance to respond against Walker Buehler in the second inning when they loaded the bases with one out. However, Francisco Alvarez struck out on an outside fastball, and Francisco Lindor whiffed on a high fastball, leaving the score at 2-0 in favor of the Dodgers.
Dodgers score two runs in the second
The Dodgers were able to manufacture two runs against Luis Severino in the second inning without a ball leaving the infield. After a leadoff walk to Max Muncy, an error allowed Teoscar Hernandez to reach base. The first run scored on a ground ball from Will Smith, which slipped through Severino’s glove, followed by a sacrifice fly from Tommy Edman, extending the Dodgers’ lead to 2-0.
Mets and Dodgers announce NLCS Game 3 lineups.
What time is Game 3 between the NY Mets and LA Dodgers? The game will air on FS1.