LOS ANGELES – The Mets ensured that their return to Citi Field will be a positive one.
Following a disappointing Game 1 against the Dodgers on Sunday, the Mets responded decisively in Game 2, leveling the National League Championship Series.
The Mets scored six runs in the first two innings, highlighted by a grand slam from Mark Vientos and a solo home run from Francisco Lindor, leading to a 7-3 victory before 52,926 fans at Dodger Stadium on Monday afternoon.
The series is now tied 1-1, with the next three games scheduled in Flushing starting Wednesday at 8:08 p.m.
The Mets’ explosive start helped them resist the Dodgers’ comeback attempts in the fifth and sixth innings. Max Muncy hit a solo home run off Sean Manaea in the sixth, while Phil Maton managed to escape a bases-loaded situation that resulted in two runs scored—both attributed to Manaea.
Edwin Diaz faced two consecutive baserunners in the ninth but recovered by striking out Mookie Betts, Teoscar Hernandez, and Freddie Freeman to secure the save.
Key moments from the Mets’ victory include:
Edwin Diaz’s Eighth-Inning Performance
Mets pitcher Ryne Stanek recorded four consecutive outs before encountering trouble in the eighth. After giving up a two-out single to Tommy Edman and walking Max Muncy, Carlos Mendoza called for Edwin Diaz. He successfully forced Kike Hernandez to fly out to right, keeping the Mets ahead 6-3 heading into the final inning.
Dodgers’ Rally Stopped with Bases Loaded
The Dodgers initiated a significant offensive effort in the sixth inning against Manaea. Mookie Betts and Teoscar Hernandez’s walks set up the bases loaded situation, following a fielding error by Jose Iglesias. Phil Maton replaced Manaea and surrendered a one-out, two-run single to Tommy Edman. However, Maton limited the damage, ultimately inducing a double play from Kike Hernandez, leaving the score at 6-3.
Max Muncy’s Contribution
Manaea, having otherwise performed well in his postseason start, made a crucial mistake in the fifth when he threw a high sinker to Muncy, who capitalized with a solo home run, reducing the Mets’ lead to 6-1. This marked Muncy’s 12th postseason home run, placing him third in Dodgers history.
Manaea Silencing Top Dodgers Batters
In Game 1, the Dodgers’ leading hitters heavily impacted the Mets’ pitching. However, in Game 2, Manaea quickly silenced stars like Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts, striking out Ohtani twice and holding Betts without a hit through the first three innings, while racking up six strikeouts total.
Mets Fail to Capitalize in the Third
The Mets threatened again in the third against Dodgers pitcher Landon Knack, loading the bases following hits from Pete Alonso and Jose Iglesias, along with a walk from Tyrone Taylor. But Francisco Alvarez’s flyout to center ended the inning without further runs, keeping the score at 6-0.
Highlight of the Second Inning: Mark Vientos’ Grand Slam
In the second inning, against Knack, Mets’ Tyrone Taylor hit an RBI double, followed by an intentional walk to Lindor. Vientos took advantage of the situation with a grand slam to put the Mets up 6-0, showcasing their dominance over the Dodger bullpen.
Francisco Lindor’s Impressive Start
Lindor set the tone early, hitting a leadoff home run off Ryan Brasier, marking it as the sixth leadoff postseason home run in Mets history, the first since Curtis Granderson in the 2015 World Series.
Upcoming Information
The game schedule continues as the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers have announced their respective lineups for NLCS Game 2. The matchup can be viewed on FOX at the designated game time today.