Francisco Lindor and Mark Vientos powered the New York Mets to a 7-3 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday, breaking the Dodgers' record-tying postseason scoreless streak and tying the NL Championship Series at one game apiece. Lindor kicked off the game with a leadoff homer in the first inning against Ryan Brasier, while Vientos delivered a grand slam in the second inning against Landon Knack, contributing to New York's five-run rally.
Prior to Lindor's homer, the Dodgers had managed to keep their opponents scoreless for 33 consecutive innings. However, the Mets' offensive surge in Game 2, led by Lindor and Vientos, changed the momentum. Sean Manaea started strong for the Mets, pitching four shutout innings before allowing three runs in five-plus innings. Edwin Díaz secured a four-out save for the Mets.
The Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani struggled, going 0 for 3 with two strikeouts and two walks, remaining hitless in his first MLB postseason with the bases empty. The Mets, who had faltered in the series opener, capitalized on the Dodgers' pitching, with Lindor fouling off four consecutive pitches from Brasier before hitting a 395ft homer to right field.
Vientos' grand slam, a 391ft shot to center field, was the third in Mets playoff history, extending their lead to 6-0 and silencing the sellout crowd of 52,926. The Dodgers attempted a comeback in the sixth inning, trailing 6-3, but the Mets' defense held strong, with Díaz closing out the game.
Game 3 of the best-of-seven series will be held in New York on Wednesday, with Lindor expressing his excitement to play in front of the Mets' home crowd. Meanwhile, in the AL Championship Series, the Yankees secured a 5-2 victory over Cleveland, with Carlos Rodón earning his first postseason win.
