In a postseason full of twists and turns, the New York Mets have proven they still have some fight left in them. Facing elimination and a daunting 3-1 series deficit in the National League Championship Series, the Mets delivered a resounding response, trouncing the Los Angeles Dodgers 12-6 in Game 5 at Citi Field. The victory keeps New York’s World Series aspirations alive and ensures the series will return to the City of Angels for a pivotal Game 6 showdown.
Alonso’s Early Blast Sets the Tone
Mets slugger Pete Alonso wasted no time making his presence felt, launching a mammoth three-run homer off Dodgers starter Jack Flaherty in the first inning. The 432-foot blast to center field ignited the raucous home crowd and gave the Mets an early 3-0 lead they would never relinquish. Alonso, who is poised to become one of the offseason’s most coveted free agents, has now delivered two season-saving home runs for the Mets this postseason.
Pete’s been our guy all year. When we need a big hit, he always seems to deliver. That homer really set the tone for us tonight.
– Mets manager, via postgame press conference
Flaherty Falters as Mets Bats Erupt
While Alonso provided the initial spark, the rest of the Mets lineup soon followed suit. Starling Marte led the charge with three doubles and four hits, driving in three runs. Catcher Francisco Alvarez, who had been mired in a postseason slump, broke out with three hits of his own, including a key RBI single in the Mets’ five-run third inning. Francisco Lindor and Jesse Winker each contributed run-scoring triples as New York’s offense finally found its groove.
For Flaherty, it was a start to forget. After tossing seven shutout innings in a dominant Game 1 performance, the right-hander struggled mightily in the rematch. He was tagged for eight runs on eight hits over a mere three innings, failing to record a single strikeout. It marked the first time since September 2022 that Flaherty had failed to notch at least one punchout in a start.
Dodgers Mount a Charge, Mets Bullpen Holds Firm
Staked to an 8-1 lead, Mets starter David Peterson couldn’t make it out of the fourth inning. The Dodgers offense, which had been relatively quiet in the early going, began to stir. Rookie sensation Andy Pages launched two home runs and drove in four, while Mookie Betts added a solo shot as Los Angeles clawed back to within 10-6. However, the Mets bullpen duo of Ryne Stanek and Edwin Díaz slammed the door, combining for 4.1 scoreless innings to secure the victory.
| Pitcher | IP | H | ER |
| R. Stanek (W) | 2.1 | 2 | 0 |
| E. Díaz (S) | 2.0 | 1 | 0 |
Shifting Focus to Game 6
With their season on the line, the Mets will turn to left-hander Sean Manaea in Game 6. Manaea will be pitching on five days’ rest and looking to build upon his solid start in Game 2. The Dodgers, meanwhile, are expected to counter with another bullpen game as their once-vaunted starting rotation has been decimated by injuries.
Although the Mets still face an uphill battle, trailing the series 3-2, their Game 5 victory has injected new life into what was a fading season. If they can find a way to win in Los Angeles and force a decisive Game 7, the resilient Mets may just have a few more surprises in store. The baseball world will be watching intently as this captivating NLCS reaches its climax.
