The Los Angeles Dodgers were unable to go 2-0 in Game Two of the NLCS. The Mets battled throughout the contest, securing a 7-3 win. This was a bullpen game for the Dodgers, their pitchers included Landon Knack, Brent Honeywell, and Edgardo Henriquez.
Francisco Lindor started the game with a home run. The Mets loaded bases on hits and walks in the second inning which led to Mark Vientos slugging a grand slam. This launched the Mets to a 6-0 lead.
“I’m just focused on one thing and the only thing I’m focused on is winning the game,” Vientos said. “Whatever I can do, whether it’s running them over, making a play, be a good teammate, that’s what I want to do.”
The grand slam was on a pitch by Knack, who was only able to strike out two batters in two innings.
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“I felt today he wasn’t sharp overall, specifically the secondary,” said Dodgers head coach Dave Roberts. “It never feels good losing but to feel that you got your leverage guys ready to go for the next three games, I feel really good about that.”
This marks the first time Knack has pitched in a seven-game series.
“In all of these games, every out is so important … it’s trying to bare down and do my job,” Knack said. “I think we’re still very confident in this series. Obviously, I want to get this game but still feel very good about where we’re at going into New York.”
The Boys in Blue countered in the fifth inning when Max Muncy homered into right field. In the sixth, The Dodgers loaded the bases. Tommy Edman made a two-run single, cutting the lead in half.
“It’s a long series, you don’t win or lose a series in one day, especially early on,” Muncy said. “Thankfully we have some good guys in this club house, we’re gonna make sure everyone’s in the right head space to move forward.”
The Boys in Blue struggled to create a momentum strong enough to score again. A glimmer of hope came in the ninth when Andy Pages singled and Shohei Ohtani earned a walk. However, it was snuffed out by Edwin Díaz who struck out three consecutive batters.
“In the ninth I tried to throw strikes, attack the hitters because we were winning by four runs,” Díaz said. “[I] trust my fastball and threw it right in the middle for them.”
The NLCS now heads east with the Mets hosting the next three games. Game Three will be on October 16 at 5:08 P.M.
