Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
The Mets (84-48) took two-of-three from the Dodgers (90-40) with a 5-3 statement win on Thursday evening at Citi Field. The season series between the teams with the two best records in the National League proved to be an exciting one and a testament to the 2022 Mets’ strength.
New York wins the matchup, four games to three, while also outscoring Los Angeles 25-22 this year.
The club now sits 3.5 games ahead of the Braves in the NL East and will face the last-place Nationals in a three-game series this weekend. The Mets will not play another team with a winning record until they travel to play the Milwaukee Brewers for a three-game series on September 19.
New York took advantage of Clayton Kershaw‘s rocky first inning back from the injured list and captured a 1-0 lead in the first inning. A pair of walks by Starling Marte and Pete Alonso and a single from Francisco Lindor loaded the bases, and with two outs, Mark Canha was walked to drive in Marte.
The Dodgers quickly responded in the next frame, scoring two runs off Mets’ starter, Chris Bassitt. Bassitt got one out before loading the bases via a double, single, and walk. Chris Taylor then knocked a single to right field that scored two runners, with the third out at the plate.
Bassitt ended his outing after six innings pitched. He allowed two runs on six hits, and three walks with four strikeouts to pin down his 12th win of the season.
New York tied the game up in the sixth when Marte knocked a leadoff single and Lindor doubled to drive him in. Lindor then stole third and scored on a Darin Ruf sacrifice fly to make it 3-2 Mets.
Trevor May tossed a scoreless seventh in relief with a walk and two strikeouts. In the home half of the inning, the offense picked up two more runs to extend the lead, 5-2. James McCann knocked a two-out double, and Brandon Nimmo mirrored with a two-base hit that drove in the catcher. Marte singled to drive in Nimmo.
Edwin Diaz pitched the eighth and allowed his first two batters to reach base via a walk and hit by pitch. He put away his next three batters, limiting the damage to just a run scored on a sacrifice fly to keep the Mets up, 5-3. Díaz’s final pitch of the frame registered at 102.8 mph for the hardest of his career.
Adam Ottavino tossed a scoreless ninth and earned the save, with two strikeouts.
Player of the Game
Lindor earns Thursday’s honor with a 2-for-4 appearance at the plate, including a game-tying RBI double and a stolen base.
On Deck
New York will face the Nationals on Friday evening at Citi Field in the first of a three-game series.
Lefty David Peterson (7-3, 3.21 ERA) is the starter for the Mets. Last time out, Peterson tossed six scoreless innings against the Rockies.
Josiah Gray (7-8, 4.67 ERA) will get the start for Washington. He last faced the Padres and allowed one run on five hits, with three strikeouts and five walks through five innings.
Fans can catch the action at 7:10 p.m. ET on SNY or WCBS 880.
