Pete Alonso delivered an early three-run homer, and the New York Mets capitalized on Jack Flaherty's ineffective pitching, securing a 12-6 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series on Friday. Starling Marte contributed significantly with three doubles, four hits, and three RBIs for the Mets. Francisco Alvarez snapped out of a slump with three hits, including an RBI single during a five-run third inning. Francisco Lindor and Jesse Winker each contributed an RBI triple.

After being dominated in three of the first four games, including consecutive losses at home, the wild-card Mets revived their postseason hopes for the second time, both occasions marked by a three-run homer from Alonso. This win reduced their series deficit to 3-2, pushing the best-of-seven NLCS back to Los Angeles for Game 6 on Sunday.

Sean Manaea is slated to start for New York on five days' rest, while the Dodgers are expected to rely on another bullpen game due to a rotation weakened by injuries. Flaherty, who had previously thrown seven shutout innings with just two hits in Game 1, faltered early, allowing Alonso to hit a 432-foot slider for his fourth homer of the postseason.

Alonso, who is set to become a prized free agent this fall, had also hit a decisive homer in Game 3 of the wild card series in Milwaukee, a more dramatic shot that came with the Mets trailing 2-0 and down to their final two outs in the ninth inning. Flaherty's struggles continued as he allowed eight runs and eight hits in just three innings, failing to strike out a batter for the first time since September 2022.

The Mets, who struck out 12 times in Game 4, did not record a single strikeout in Game 5. Despite being handed an 8-1 lead, New York starter David Peterson couldn't make it through the fourth inning. Dodgers rookie Andy Pages hit two homers and drove in four runs, while Mookie Betts hit a home run for the second straight game, narrowing the deficit to 10-6. However, relievers Ryne Stanek and Edwin Díaz stabilized the game, with Stanek earning the victory and Díaz securing six outs without allowing a run.

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