Mets jump on Dodgers early
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The New York Mets stormed their way back into the NLCS with a momentum-crushing six-run performance in the first two innings of game 2. The Los Angeles Dodgers lineup looked lifeless early after watching their pitching staff struggle to record outs, and they ultimately lost 7–3.
Francisco Lindor immediately woke up the Mets’ bats with a leadoff home run to snap the Dodgers’ consecutive shutout innings streak, and New York kept it going in the second with a five-run inning capped off by a Mark Vientos grand slam.
Lead-off Lindor ? pic.twitter.com/xa6DaWnLEk
— x — New York Mets (@Mets) October 14, 2024
Los Angeles opted for Vientos, intentionally walking Lindor to load the bases, and the move came back to hurt them. The Mets’ third baseman is crushing the ball in the playoffs with 14 hits, 3 home runs, and 11 RBIs.
“I took it personally. I want to be up there during that at-bat, for sure. I want them to walk Lindor in that situation, and at that point, it was just let me simplify the game and do whatever I can to add a run to the score,” said Vientos. “They would rather take a chance on me than (Lindor). I use that as motivation, like alright, you want me up, I am going to show you.”
Sean Manaea was pitching a gem through four innings of work, highlighted by six strikeouts, including two on Shohei Ohtani. Manaea was forced out of the game after giving up a fifth-inning solo home run to Max Muncy and then loading the bases in the sixth. The Dodgers would capitalize with two more runs in the inning.
Atta boy, @Starlingmart! pic.twitter.com/IbbKwP84jI
— x — New York Mets (@Mets) October 14, 2024
Brent Honeywell put out the fire for Los Angeles and got the pitching staff back on track with three scoreless innings, but the offense was unable to do any more damage and execute a comeback.
“(Honeywell) did exactly what we needed. He allowed us to eat up some innings and keep us in the ballgame,” said Roberts. “Those are innings that give us the best chance to win the ensuing games.”
It felt like the Dodgers punted the game once the Mets built a 6–0 lead. They did not use any of their high-leverage bullpen arms and decided not to use Gavin Lux off the bench (who is nursing a hip flexor injury) despite being available for a pinch-hit at bat.
Punched back. #MetsWin #LGM pic.twitter.com/6pehGuk4UG
— x — New York Mets (@Mets) October 14, 2024
“(Lux) was not healthy enough to start, run, and play defense. I had him ready in the eighth if I thought it was (high) leverage enough for him to hit. Once they scored the extra run in the top half of the ninth, I just felt that I was not going to risk putting Gavin in a little bit more harm’s way,” said Roberts.
There are still potentially five more games to be played, but it seems like there should be a little more urgency in the playoffs, regardless of how early in the series it is. It does not matter at what point the wins and losses come; they are equally as valuable in game 2 as in game 3 or 4.
The top five batters in the order combined to go 0–19 for Los Angeles, which makes winning in the postseason very difficult. The stars must bounce back now that the series moves to New York for three straight games.
Lead Photo Caption: LOS ANGELES, CA — LOS ANGELES, CA — OCTOBER 13: Harrison Bader #44 and Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets talk during batting practice prior to Game 1 of the NLCS presented by loanDepot between the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Sunday, October 13, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)