In the first inning, Pete Alonso smashed a three-run home run as the Mets successfully resisted multiple rallies from the Los Angeles Dodgers, avoiding elimination with a 12-6 victory in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series on Friday.
The Mets scored eight runs within the first three innings and relied on solid bullpen performance for the remainder of the game.
New York seemed poised for a comfortable victory as it increased its lead to 8-1 in the third inning, with Starling Marte hitting a two-RBI double, Francisco Alvarez delivering a single, Francisco Lindor hitting a triple, and Brandon Nimmo adding a single to drive in runs.
However, the Dodgers gradually narrowed the gap against Peterson and relievers Reed Garrett and Ryne Stanek (1-0). Dodgers newcomer Andy Pages, playing center field, hit his first of two home runs, a solo shot, in the fourth inning. It was his first career postseason home run for the Cuban outfielder.
New York responded as Jesse Winker hit an RBI triple and then scored on Jeff McNeil's sacrifice fly in the same inning, extending the Mets' lead to 10-2.
At the age of 23, Pages made history as the youngest Dodgers player to achieve a multi-home run game in the postseason by hitting a three-run homer in the fifth inning.
Following this, Mookie Betts started the sixth inning with a home run to narrow the visitors' deficit to 10-6.
In an impressive display, the Mets managed to avoid striking out in Game 5. They tallied 12 runs from 14 hits, five walks, and three hit batters, with a total of 44 batters facing the plate without a single strikeout.
Game 5 marked just the third postseason game in the Expansion Era (since 1961) where a team did not record a strikeout. The other instances were during the 2002 World Series between the LA Angels (40) and the SF Giants, as well as the 1974 NLCS matchup between the Pirates (37) and the Dodgers.
Game 6 is scheduled for Sunday night at Dodger Stadium. A victory for the Dodgers will secure their spot in the World Series, while a win for the Mets will force a Game 7 on Monday.
National League Championship Series
Dodgers lead 3-2
Sunday 10/13 - Game 1: LAD 9, NYM 0
Monday 10/14/- Game 2: NYM 7, LAD 3
Wednesday 10/16/- Game 3: LAD 8, NYM 0
Thursday 10/17/- Game 4: LAD 10, NYM 2
Friday 10/18/- Game 5: NYM 12, LAD 6
Sunday 10/20/- Game 6 at 8:08 pm (ET) - NYM at LAD
Monday 10/21/- Game 7 at 8:08 pm (ET) - NYM at LAD (*)
(*) If necessary
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