Mets miss chance to reclaim first place in bizarre loss to Dodgers; L.A. wins in extras for just second time

For some time, Friday night time’s sport between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets at Citi Subject appeared like a reasonably predictable affair. 

The superior Dodgers barged to a 4-0 lead behind a robust begin from Julio Urias, and going into the underside of the seventh they gave the impression to be on their approach to a semi-easy win. James McCann and Kevin Pillar struck out to start the body, and at that time the Dodgers had a 96.8 p.c probability of profitable the collection opener. That is when issues modified. 

A pinch-hit double, single, stroll, intentional stroll, and one other single introduced the Mets to inside a run at 4-3. Then Pete Alonso scooted residence on a handed ball that Mets shade commentator Ron Darling all however noticed coming: 

Heard prominently within the background is the biggest Citi Subject crowd since 2019. The Dodgers escaped additional harm, however the Mets have been tied at residence and appeared sure headlong for his or her fourth straight win. Provided that the Phillies had misplaced to the Reds earlier within the night, the Mets with a win may’ve reclaimed first place within the NL East after falling out of the highest spot again on Aug. 6 for the primary time in 90 days. 

Within the prime of the ninth, nevertheless, the Dodgers bought the potential go-ahead run into scoring place when Billy McKinney labored a lead-off stroll after which superior to second on a two-out balk by Edwin Díaz. That introduced NL MVP candidate Max Muncy to the plate. Muncy had doubled and singled earlier within the sport, and provided that he held the platoon benefit in opposition to Díaz, this type of sentiment wasn’t laborious to search out: 

Mets skipper Luis Rojas, nevertheless, opted to let his nearer face the highly effective lefty. Díaz was capable of get to an 0-2 rely due to a few effectively positioned sliders away, however at that time the sport was delayed briefly as a result of it appeared a fan educated a laser pointer on Muncy’s eyes: 

That is clearly a silly and harmful factor to do when a hitter is going through main league pitching. Here is hoping stadium safety was in a position to determine who was working the laser pointer. Anyhow, Muncy swung and missed at one other slider for strike three. There is no approach to say for certain, but it surely’s doable the specter of the laser was lodged in his head because the pitch approached the plate and influenced the end result. After that third strike and extinguished menace, the Mets had a 62.8 p.c probability of profitable the sport

The sport progressed to the tenth inning, which is notable as a result of the Dodgers have been 1-12 — sure, one win and 12 losses — in extras this season. That would not appear particularly notable if this have been, say, the Orioles or Diamondbacks, however the Dodgers are after all the most effective groups in baseball — a minimum of by means of the primary 9 innings. Will Smith, although, seemingly had sufficient of all that, and straightaway he mashed a lead-off, two-run homer, which is made doable by the automated runner rule in extras: 

Contemplate that game-tying handed ball permitted by Smith earlier within the night time to be atoned for. 

Within the backside of the tenth, Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts not solely allowed nearer Kenley Jansen to pitch two full frames for the primary time in 2021, however he additionally deliberately walked the potential go-ahead run. With two on and two out and a one-run lead, although, Jansen was capable of get pinch-hitter Tomás Nido to raise a fly ball to left for the ultimate out of the sport. 

That 6-5 triumph (box score) gave the Dodgers their seventieth win of the season in opposition to 46 losses. The Mets, meantime, slipped again to 3 video games over .500 and, sure, second place within the NL East. 

A win by the Mets on Friday would’ve been a welcome respite from the information that ace Jacob deGrom has no clear timetable for a return from damage and from the load of having to play 13 straight in opposition to the mighty Dodgers and Giants. Alas and alack, they as a substitute grew to become simply the second staff all yr to lose to the Dodgers in extras.