The Dodgers record tying scoreless innings streak snapped as Mets win Game 2 7-3 to tie series

                           Los Angeles Dodgers #8 Enrique “Kiki” Hernandez standing at home plate. (3B). Photo by TGSportstv1.

LOS ANGELES, CA – Fireworks erupted early Monday afternoon at Dodger Stadium in the form of New York Mets bats as Mark Vientos’ grand slam sparked a 7-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Sean Manaea went five innings, striking out seven while giving up three runs for New York in the series-tying win. Ryan Brasier took the mound for the Dodgers in a bullpen game, giving up one run in the first inning taking the loss. Landon Knack only lasted two innings, striking out two but was knocked up as New York scored five runs off the Dodger rookie.

“It never feels good losing but to feel that you got your leverage guys ready to go for the next three games I feel really good about that,” said Dave Roberts.

Sean Manaea took the mound for the Mets with a 1-5 career record against Dodgers with a 7.28 ERA. On the other side of the mound this was the second bullpen game in the past week for the Dodgers. Unfortunately the results were wildly different than their Game Four bullpen game win over the Padres last Wednesday.

On the verge of pitching history, Mets MVP hopeful Francisco Lindor stepped up to the plate and immediately ignited New York's offense ending the Dodgers streak with a leadoff homer for the early 1-0 lead. The Dodgers pitching staff had combined three straight shutouts spanning 33 straight scoreless innings until Lindor’s homer.

In the next inning, Landon Knack took over on the mound for the Dodgers and immediately gave up a first-pitch single to Starling Marte. Things started slipping away as Knack walked his next batter and then Marte scored on a Tyrone Taylor base hit for the 2-0 lead. After intentionally walking the dangerous Lindor to load the bases, Mark Vientos made them pay on a full-count fastball clubbing a 391-foot grand slam to give the Mets a 6-0 lead.

“To be honest with you I took it personal,” said Vientos. “You want me up to the plate? Fine I’ll try to drive in a run!”

It was a tough decision by Roberts, face Lindor who had already homered in the game, or try your luck against the red-hot Vientos who is hitting .375 in the postseason.

Neither team scored until the fifth inning when Max Muncy hit a solo blast into the right field stands to put the Dodgers on the board 6-1.

The sixth inning brought hope for the Dodgers when Manaea was pulled after walking Mookie Betts and Teoscar Hernandez and a fielding error loaded the bases with no outs. Tommy Edman then hit a weak single that escaped Pete Alonso’s glove scoring both Betts and Hernandez. The Dodger faithful erupted as the lead was cut in half 6-3.

After a walk to Muncy fans were on the edge of their seats as Kike Hernandez came up to the plate with the bases loaded one potential grand slam swing away from the lead. Instead, Hernandez grounded into a double play, the throw narrowly beating Hernandez to first. The Dodgers challenged the call but replay showed he was a step too slow.

In the eighth inning, Hernandez had a chance to atone for his sixth-inning mistake, stepping to the plate with runners on first and second. After an effortless double steal by both runners to get into scoring position, Mets reliever Edwin Diaz induced a pop fly from Hernandez for the final out stranding two more runners on the bases.

“We didn’t get the big hit when we needed it but we had opportunities,” said Kike Hernandez. “I probably had two of the biggest at-bats of the game and I didn’t come through.”

The Dodgers left 10 hitters stranded on the night, a complete turnaround from their last game.

In the ninth inning, Diaz had to go through the heart of the Dodgers lineup. The All-Star reliever struck out Betts, Hernandez, and Freddie Freeman to pick up the save.

Ohtani, Betts, Freeman, and Hernandez combined to go 0-for-15 on the night. As the leadoff hitter, Shohei is 0-19 with no one on base this postseason. The bottom of the Dodger lineup needs to improve to give Ohtani some RBI opportunities going forward if they want to win.

Some bright spots for the Dodgers were three hits by Tommy Edman. He’s been invaluable the past few weeks serving as a metaphorical Swiss army knife, doing a little of everything for the Dodgers.

The series may be tied but the Dodgers have now lost home-field advantage as they head into hostile territory for the next three games in New York. The Dodgers will look to reestablish the tone thru pitching with Walker Buehler for the pivotal Game 3 matchup Wednesday at Citi Field.