Mets' Pete Alonso Talks 'Inexplicable' HR vs. Dodgers: 'Magic of the Postseason' | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso has no idea how to explain the momentum that triggered a three-run home run to center field in Game 5 of the NLCS and set the tone for a season-saving 12-6 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers announced Friday.

Alonso took a slider from Dodgers starter Jack Flaherty that was almost in the dirt as he began his swing, but upon landing it landed at an “inexplicable” height of 432 feet.

“I was just looking for something over the middle of the plate,” Alonso told reporters after the game. “I didn’t really realize how deep the pitch was. I got caught a little in front.

MLB.com's Sarah Langs noted that the pitch was 1.12 feet above the ground at the time of the hit, which was the second-lowest hit by a home run in the postseason in the Statcast era (since 2008).

The only error was Daniel Murphy's home run off Jake Arrieta for the Mets in Game 2 of the 2015 NLCS (1.06 feet).

That could be a good omen for the Mets, as Murphy's success came in a series they won to advance to the World Series, but the 2024 team still has a lot of work to do to get to that point.

The Mets avoided elimination on Friday but still trail the Dodgers 3-2 in the series when they return to Los Angeles. It was an encouraging sign to see the offense break through after scoring a total of two runs in the first two games at Citi Field.

Flaherty only made it through three innings, allowing eight runs on eight hits. He pitched seven shutout innings in the Dodgers' 9-0 win in Game 1.

After falling behind 10-2 early in the fifth inning, the Dodgers cut the lead with four runs in the next two innings. The Mets were able to shut them out in the final three innings and get the win.

Alonso had a standout performance in what could be his final home game with the Mets as he prepares to hit free agency this offseason. He finished the game 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBI and four runs scored in five plate appearances.

The Mets and Dodgers play Game 6 of the NLCS on Sunday at 8:08 p.m. ET. Sean Manaea will get the ball for New York to force a decisive Game 7. He allowed two earned runs with seven strikeouts in the Mets' Game 2 win.

Los Angeles has not yet announced a starting pitcher. A win on Sunday would send the Dodgers to the World Series for the fourth time since 2017.