Francisco Lindor and Mark Vientos each hit a home run and the New York Mets ended the Los Angeles Dodgers’ record streak of scoreless innings with a 7-3 win Monday.
The National League Championship Series is now tied 1-1.
Lindor continued his dream season with a long ball in the first inning against Ryan Brasier and Vientos slammed a grand slam in the second against Landon Knack.
Vientos hit the grand slam after seeing the Dodgers intentionally walk Lindor in order to face him with the bases loaded.
“Francisco is in front of me and he hit a home run earlier in the game. So they preferred to take a chance with me rather than with him. But I used it as motivation,” said Vientos.
“I’m very proud that he stayed calm and was able to hit the ball like that,” Lindor said.
It was the third grand slam in Mets playoff history – the second in this series, after Lindor’s in Game 4 of the Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Before Lindor struck, the Dodgers had gone 33 innings without allowing a run. Jack Flaherty led the Dodgers to a 9-0 victory in Game 1 of this series the day before.
“I didn’t know that,” Lindor said of the Dodgers’ streak. I was just trying to have good at-bats and get things going. »
Sean Manaea started the second game with four scoreless innings for the Mets. He allowed three runs, two earned, and two hits in over five innings.
“Having such a lead makes things a little easier,” admitted Manaea. You just have to try to attack the opposing players, take the lead and destabilize them. »
Reliever Edwin Diaz got the save with four outs late in the game.
Shohei Ohtani (0 for 3) was struck out twice and walked twice. He still hasn’t hit the ball to safety in these series when there is no one on the paths.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, however, has no plans to move Ohtani from first in the batting order.
“I want Shohei to have five at-bats per game,” Roberts said. I think he’s our best hitter, and I want him to be there five times. »
The third game of the series will take place on Wednesday in New York.
“It’s not a sprint,” Manaea said. This will definitely be a long and difficult series. »
