Pete Alonso’s early three-run homer set the tone as the New York Mets cruised to a 12-6 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series (NLCS) on Friday, keeping their playoff hopes alive.
Alonso’s 432-foot shot to center field, his fourth home run of the postseason, came in the first inning and helped the Mets extend the best-of-seven series, now trailing 3-2. Starling Marte delivered an outstanding performance with three doubles, four hits, and three RBIs, while Francisco Alvarez broke out of a slump with three hits, including an RBI single in a pivotal five-run third inning. Francisco Lindor and Jesse Winker also contributed with RBI triples.
After struggling in three of the first four games, the Mets bounced back to avoid elimination for the second time in these playoffs, thanks to Alonso's power. This marked another clutch performance by Alonso, who had previously hit a game-saving home run in their wild card series against Milwaukee.
Dodgers starter Jack Flaherty, looking to send his team to the World Series in front of his hometown fans, was ineffective on the mound. After throwing seven scoreless innings in Game 1, Flaherty allowed eight runs on eight hits in just three innings this time. Alonso's homer came off a low slider, putting the Mets up 3-0 early.
New York starter David Peterson, given an 8-1 lead, couldn't finish the fourth inning. The Dodgers fought back with two homers from rookie Andy Pages, who drove in four runs, and Mookie Betts hit his second home run in as many games to narrow the gap to 10-6. However, Mets relievers Ryne Stanek and Edwin Díaz stabilized the game. Stanek earned the win after pitching a career-high 2 1/3 innings, and Díaz closed out the final two innings without allowing a run.
With the series headed back to Los Angeles for Game 6 on Sunday, the Mets will turn to Sean Manaea on five days’ rest, while the Dodgers are expected to rely on a bullpen game, struggling with a rotation thinned by injuries.
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