Don’t give up hope just yet New York. After a 9-0 shutout loss to the Dodgers in game one of the National League Championship Series, the Mets were able to respond with a sucker punch of their own to tie the series before taking the matchup home to Citi Field. That same day, the Yankees rode their big bats and baserunning to a 5-2 victory over the Cleveland Guardians to take a 1-0 series lead. The same recipe would result in a game 2 win for New York, earning them a commanding 2-0 series lead. Subway Series November classic anyone?
Mark Vientos’ Grand Slam leads the way for Mets bounce back win.
The Mets wasted absolutely no time getting back into this series, jumping out to a 6-0 lead against the Dodgers Monday afternoon in Game 2 of the NLCS. Then went on to tie the series at 1-1 as it heads to Queens.
Francisco Lindor got the Mets started while fans were still making their way to Dodger Stadium with a leadoff 395-foot home run.
“It was just a matter of getting a good pitch and trying to make something for the boys.” Lindor said after the game Monday. ” I wasn’t trying to hit a home run, just trying to get a good pitch.”
The Mets had two baserunners on, scored one run, and the Dodgers intentionally walked Lindor to load the bases in the top half of the second inning. Mark Vientos stepped in the box with three on and two out, with a full count he hit a 391-foot grand slam to give the Mets a 6-0 lead in only the second inning.
“To be honest with you, I took it personal.” Vientos said when asked how he felt in the situation. “You want me up to the plate, I am going to try drive in a run. I was trying to simplify the game.”
On the mound, Sean Manaea pitched five innings and allowed three runs. LA finally responded to the towering deficit in the fifth inning with a Max Muncy solo homer, as well as scoring two more runs in the sixth. Pete Alonso would score off of a Starling Marte single in the ninth, resulting in a final score of 7-3
If the Mets can keep their bats hot, they can overpower LA’s depleted bullpen and punch their ticket to the World Series. New York hosts the next three games and after stealing one in LA, I’d say the magic of the big city has the advantage here.
Game three is set for Wednesday at 8:08 PM in Queens, NY. RHP Walker Buehler will go against long-time New Yorker RHP Luis Severino.
Aaron Judge homer puts Yanks up late. Errors prove costly for Cleveland.
The Yankees still look like World Series favorites, and Captain Aaron Judge finally tallied his first home run in his last 10 postseason games.
The Yankee offense scored three runs in the first two innings, including a run scored on an error in the first. New York’s Ace Gerrit Cole started strong but got into trouble as his pitch count climbed. The Guardians managed to get the tying run on base, and left him stranded. Cole would be relieved in the fifth inning, and New York’s dominant bullpen would lead the team to victory.
Tanner Bibee would play less than two full innings for Cleveland and was taken out with the bases loaded after only tallying four outs and throwing 39 pitches.
“I know tanner didn’t throw the ball the way he wanted to tonight. Manager Stephen Vogt said in his postgame interview Tuesday night. “By getting him out of there early maybe we’ve got an opportunity to bring him back quicker.”
Clay Holmes, Tim Hill, Tommy Kahnle and Luke Weaver finished out the night for the Yanks, giving up a solo homer to Jose Ramirez in the ninth. Their postseason numbers are simply unbelievable: .77 ERA in 23 1/2 innings, 23 strikeouts, and only one extra base hit.
The added insurance for New York came in the seventh when Aaron Judge hit his first home run of the post season giving the Yanks a four run cushion after 66 at bats in Yankee Stadium without a home run.
“I didn’t know it was 66” Judge said Tuesday night “It was just good to add two more runs. Especially a game like this, where they have a great bullpen, they have a great lineup, scrappy lineup that’s going to get on base work the count, and drive some guys in.”
The series heads to Cleveland for games three and four, five if needed. Game three is scheduled for a 5:08PM first pitch at Progressive Field in Cleveland on Thursday, October 17th.
Keep hope alive New York…
Written by Raven Ullah, WUFO Intern