Mets Even NLCS with 7-3 Game 2 Win
Just as they have all year, the Mets responded to playing a lifeless game with a resilient effort the following day. After their 9-0 loss in Game 1, the Mets returned the favor to the Dodgers in Game 2, ambushing them early and holding on to win 7-3.
The Mets took the lead from the game’s first batter, with Francisco Lindor launching one into the right field stands to put the Mets up 1-0 and end the Dodgers’ impressive scoreless inning streak. Dodgers’ opener Ryan Brasier settled down to limit any more damage, but bulk man Landon Knack would be in for an even ruder greeting in the second inning.
Knack allowed the first two batters to reach before inducing a weak popout. Tyrone Taylor then drove home the game’s second run with an RBI double, putting runners on second and third with one out. A second out without a run being drivenin prompted Dave Roberts to intentionally walk Francisco Lindor, bringing Mark Vientos to the plate.
Roberts’ plan backfired, as Vientos worked a nine-pitch at-bat that resulted in a grand slam that found the bleachers in right-center field. Vientos’ long ball put the Mets up 6-0, putting them in prime position early with their ace, Sean Manaea, on the mound.
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6-0 Mets
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Manaea cruised through the early portion of the game, continuing his stellar postseason, to keep the Mets’ 6-0 lead intact. It wasn’t until the middle innings that he found trouble, allowing a Max Muncy solo homer to lead off the fifth inning. He exited the inning without further damage but was pulled in the sixth after allowing two walks and an error from Jose Iglesias.
Phil Maton entered the bases-loaded, no-out jam, looking to prevent major damage. He got Will Smith to pop up in the infield, getting a massive first out, but Tommy Edman grounded a ball under Pete Alonso‘s glove to drive two runners home and cut the Mets’ lead to 6-3.
A walk to Max Muncy loaded the bases again, bringing Kiké Hernández to the plate as the go-ahead run. Hernández grounded the ball to Mark Vientos, who bobbled it before tossing it to Jose Iglesias at second to complete the double play. The Dodgers challenged, as Iglesias’ throw nearly took Pete Alonso off the bag, but it was confirmed to be a huge double play, regardless of the sloppy execution, to get the Mets out of the inning.
Ryne Stanek provided a less eventful seventh inning after Maton led it off with a popout and a walk to Shohei Ohtani. Stanek faced Mookie Betts and Teoscar Hernández and got Betts to strike out and Hernández to ground out while pumping 99 miles per hour. Those two outs got the Mets out of the inning and the hardest part of the Dodgers lineup out of the way with two innings remaining.
Stanek remained on for the eighth, but Tommy Edman’s third hit of the night and a walk to Max Muncy forced Carlos Mendoza to go to Edwin Díaz for a four-out save. Díaz’s first test was against Kiké Hernández to close out the eighth inning, and he recorded a flyout to keep the Dodgers three runs down.
Pete Alonso almost singlehandedly provided the Mets a much-needed insurance run in the top of the ninth inning. With one out, Alonso walked and then stole second base without a throw. Then, Starling Marte grounded a ball up the middle, allowing Alonso to just barely score with a good dive. That gave Díaz a four-run cushion with just three outs to play.
Díaz allowed a leadoff single to Andy Pages, bringing up Shohei Ohtani and the top of the Dodgers’ lineup with no outs. Ohtani walked before Mookie Betts struck out on a 99 mph fastball upstairs. Díaz went back to his fastball to strike out Teoscar Hernández before fooling Freddie Freeman with a slider.
The 7-3 win ties the NLCS at one game apiece before the Mets and Dodgers head east to Citi Field for three games.
Stat of the Game
Mark Vientos became the third Mets player to hit a grand slam in the postseason, not counting Robin Ventura‘s grand slam single in 1999. He joins Edgardo Alfonzo, who hit a postseason grand slam in 1999, and Francisco Lindor, who hit one just last week.
Player of the Game
Vientos’ grand slam naturally makes him the player of the game. His long ball was the difference, as the Mets won by four. Vientos has been key to the Mets’ success this postseason, and he keeps hitting and providing value with his bat.
On Deck
The Mets return to Citi Field to continue the NLCS against the Dodgers. They have Tuesday off and then play Wednesday at 8:08 p.m. ET. The game will air on FS1, with Luis Severino taking the mound for New York and Walker Buehler for Los Angeles.
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