The New York Mets bounced back from a lopsided loss to secure a crucial 7-3 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series (NLCS), heading back to New York with the series tied at one game apiece. The Mets’ offense, led by Francisco Lindor and Mark Vientos, brought an end to the Dodgers’ historic postseason scoreless streak, which had stretched to 33 innings.
The Dodgers, opting for a bullpen game in Game 2, tested New York with a variety of arms, but the Mets adapted quickly. Francisco Lindor wasted no time, hammering a leadoff home run off Ryan Brasier in the first inning, igniting the Mets’ offense. Lindor’s blast was his latest highlight in a season that has seen him emerge as a key leader for the team.
The early strike against the Dodgers‘ pitching staff broke their scoreless streak, a record-tying effort that had reached 33 consecutive innings, including a dominant 9-0 shutout in Game 1 behind Jack Flaherty’s performance. But the Mets would not be denied this time.
In the second inning, the Mets’ bats came alive once again, with Mark Vientos delivering the game’s biggest blow. With the bases loaded, Vientos connected for a grand slam against reliever Landon Knack, propelling New York to a commanding 6-0 lead. The Mets plated five runs in that inning, which proved decisive in their Game 2 victory.
Pitching for New York, Sean Manaea kept the Dodgers‘ lineup in check through the early innings. He delivered four shutout frames before encountering trouble in the fifth, allowing three runs—two of them earned—across five-plus innings. Despite the rocky fifth inning, Manaea’s performance gave the Mets the stability they needed.
Closer Edwin Diaz came in for a four-out save, shutting down any hope of a Dodgers‘ comeback. Facing some of the Dodgers’ most dangerous hitters, including Shohei Ohtani, Diaz rose to the occasion, striking out Ohtani to end a tense eighth inning. Ohtani’s struggles in the series continued; he is now 0-for-19 with the bases empty in his first postseason.
For the Dodgers, Ohtani’s inability to find a rhythm at the plate has become a key storyline. The superstar went 0-for-3 in Game 2 with two strikeouts against Manaea and drew two walks, one against Diaz. His efforts to change the momentum for Los Angeles were met with solid defense and effective Mets pitching.
After a difficult Game 1 loss, the Mets knew they needed to respond, and they did just that. The victory shifts the series back to Citi Field for Game 3, where New York will look to ride the momentum of their Game 2 win in front of their home crowd. With the series now knotted, the Mets have a golden opportunity to take control of the best-of-seven matchup.
The Dodgers, meanwhile, will regroup and look to regain the advantage they built with their Game 1 dominance. Despite the setback, their depth and talent remain a threat in this series. As the series moves to New York, fans can expect more drama and intensity in what has already become a classic NLCS showdown.
