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Dodgers vs. Mets: The New York bats come alive in Game 5, sending the series back to Los Angeles

Posted on by Vanessa
Dodgers vs. Mets: The New York bats come alive in Game 5, sending the series back to Los Angeles

The 2024 NLCS has been a slugfest so far, and the New York Mets were on the good side in Game 5, earning a 12-6 victory.

When they faced Jack Flaherty, who struck them out in seven innings in Game 1, the Mets responded by throwing him around over the course of three innings. Pete Alonso got things started loudly with a three-run home run, and five more runs followed in the third inning.

The Dodgers could have attacked Flaherty more aggressively, but they clearly chose to do whatever they could to get through the game without using their better bullpen arms. After Flaherty went three innings, LA replaced him with cleanup reliever Brent Honeywell Jr., who made all but one of the remaining outs in the game.

However, the game wasn't over after the third inning. While the Dodgers were strict with their bullpen, their vaunted offense still did enough damage against the Mets' middle reliever to hit a grand slam in the sixth inning.

But they couldn't achieve more. The Mets decided not to take any chances and used reliever Ryne Stanek and closer Edwin Diaz for the final 12 outs of the game. It was an aggressive move, but since none of the substitutes had shown up since Game 2 on Monday, the aggression had the benefit of keeping them warm.

The series now heads back to Los Angeles, where a more favorable matchup awaits the Mets in Game 6. They will likely have Sean Manaea, who shut out the Dodgers in Game 2, facing a Dodgers bullpen game. First pitch is scheduled for Sunday at 8:08 p.m. ET (Fox Sports 1).

Here's how it went at Yahoo Sports:

The live broadcast has ended59 updates

  • FINAL: Mets 12, Dodgers 6

    The Mets win the first of three competitive games – and in impressive fashion. They chased down Jack Flaherty, who bullied them in Game 1, and continued to cruise to a 12-6 win, although the Dodgers' offense still managed to score six runs.

    Now the series heads back to Los Angeles, where a more favorable matchup awaits the Mets. The Dodgers could have rested Flaherty for Game 6, but decided to use him tonight, meaning it will likely be a bullpen game against Sean Manaea, who got off to a great start in Game 2. And anything can happen in Game 7.

    Twenty-four hours after looking all but defeated, the Mets have the path to a stunning comeback – their latest stunning comeback.

  • After beating Brent Honeywell for 4 2/3 innings, the Dodgers go to Anthony Banda to get their likely finale out of the game. He makes it on a groundout from Jeff McNeil.

  • Mets 12, Dodgers 6

    The Mets scored more runs thanks to Starling Marte's fourth hit of the game.

  • Diaz makes it look easy in the eighth round.

  • It's actually Edwin Diaz in the eighth and possibly ninth inning. Whatever the Mets' reason for using him in this spot, the top of the Dodgers line probably won't mind taking a look at him before Game 6.

  • Francisco Lindor takes a leadoff walk and then starts bouncing back and forth with Brandon Nimmo at the plate. He may have danced a little too much, as Honeywell chooses him for the first part at the end of the seventh movement.

  • The Dodgers go down in order early in the seventh quarter and suddenly have just six outs to score six runs. Edwin Diaz is warming up now, possibly for a two-inning appearance.

    This may sound like the Mets are being aggressive, but they probably also want to keep the closer warm. He hasn't pitched since Game 2, and you don't want him to go five days without pitching before Game 6.

  • Mets 11, Dodgers 6

    The Mets get some breathing room with a sacrifice fly from Jeff McNeil that was set up by a Starling-Marte double. Citi Field can breathe a little easier.

  • The Dodgers retained Brent Honeywell for his third inning. They may be on the verge of a shocking comeback, but it looks like the bigger priority is still preserving their best bullpen arms for Game 6.

  • Mets 10, Dodgers 6

    INTERESTING… Mookie Betts leads off the sixth inning with a home run off Ryne Stanek. This could be an exciting few innings for Citi Field.

  • Brent Honeywell went 1-2-3 on four pitches in the fifth inning. If the momentum is there, it is now on the Dodgers' side, but the question is whether the goal is already too far away.

  • Mets 10, Dodgers 5

    Interesting… Andy Pages hits his second home run of the day, with his second bat flip of the day, and this game is even closer. You'd still rather be at the Mets' position, but this isn't a normal day at the office anymore.

  • Kiké Hernández takes a 97.1 mph sinker from Reed Garrett to the right bicep and was definitely sore, but he stays in it.

    Some Citi Field fans enjoyed seeing this after Honeywell's two HBPs.

  • The fun thing for the Mets about this game is that the rest of this series doesn't go well for the Dodgers. Unless they want to start Walker Buehler and Yoshinobu Yamamoto on short rest in Games 6 and 7, there will be a bullpen game in Game 6 against Sean Manaea, who was great in Game 2.

    And anything can happen in Game 7, namely Buehler or Yamamoto against Luis Severino. This was a low-key, important game for the Dodgers after they opted to start Flaherty instead of playing the bullpen game today.

  • Mets 10, Dodgers 2

    It's a complete reversal of the score in Game 4 after a sac fly by Brandon Nimmo.

  • Brent Honeywell Jr. also beats Tyrone Taylor. It's definitely not intentional, but he's not making friends with the Mets today.

  • Mets 9, Dodgers 2

    Jesse Winker hits a three-pointer and Pete Alonso huffs and puffs to score first. At the end of the fourth quarter there were still no outs for the Mets. The Dodgers are simply trying to get through this game without using one of their top relievers at this point.

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