NEW YORK (AP) — Upon entering the New York Mets locker room on Friday, Carlos Mendoza sensed something different in the mood of his players before a game where they were playing for the chance to extend the season. The Venezuelan manager identified a relaxed group that has been navigating against the current for months.
These Mets don't give up so easily.
Pete Alonso early connected for a three-run homer and the Mets hit an ineffective starter Jack Flaherty hard to extend the National League Championship Series with a 12-6 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fifth game of the series.
Dominican Starling Marte got three doubles among his four hits and drove in three runs for New York. Venezuelan Francisco Álvarez broke out of his slump with three hits, including a run-scoring single in a five-run third inning.
Puerto Rican Francisco Lindor and Jesse Winker joined the offensive party, each with a run-producing triple.
When is Game 6 of the National League finals being played?
"Today, before the game, I felt a different clubhouse. There was an incredible confidence, many smiles on faces, a lot of tranquility," said Mendoza, who is doing wonderfully in his first year as a manager in the Major Leagues. "Those are the expectations. I think it's something we're used to."
After being crushed in three of the first four games, including the two previous nights at home, the Mets saved their season for the second time in these playoffs, both times with the help of a three-run home run by Alonso.
"We needed it," Mendoza indicated. "Pete's home run in the first inning was important, it set the tone. And we didn't stop hitting."
Mets' starter David Peterson escaped a jam in the first inning - with the help of an error by Shohei Ohtani - but couldn't make it past the fourth inning despite a seven-run lead. Reed Garrett came in to relieve with the bases loaded and struck out Freddie Freeman on a called third strike with a 3-2 count, throwing a sweeper to end the inning.
New York, who made it to the postseason with a wild card ticket, reduced their series deficit to 3-2 and sent the action back to Los Angeles for the sixth game, which will be played on Sunday.
It is expected that Sean Manaea will start the game for New York with five days of rest, while the Dodgers will likely opt for another bullpen game, given the injuries that have decimated their rotation.