(2024) NLCS Game #5: Mets Offense Explodes for 12 Runs as Alonso HRs & Marte Collects Four Hits As It's Back to L.A.

 Friday October 18th, 2024: NLCS Game #5. The Mets were facing elimination entering this afternoon's game, down three games to one. In the first two games at Citi Field the Mets scored just two runs in 18 innings. 

They were shut out in Game #3 & although they had ten hits in Game #4 their pitching failed them giving up ten runs, 12 hits & nine walks which led to most runs. 

It seemed the team may have finally run out of gas. But these Mets the "comeback kids" can never be counted out as I personally keep learning. OMG, Grimace & just a bunch of guys who love each other, love their fans & never say die go at it one more time.

Carlos Mendoza sent out David Peterson to face the Dodgers Jack Flaherty Peterson had given up three runs (two earned) on four hits in 2.1 innings of work in Game #1 in relief of Kodi Senga. 

Overall, in the post season Peterson is 1-0 with a save, he has given up three earned runs in 10.2 innings, with four walks & seven strike outs. The Dodgers Jack Flaherty held the Mets coreless thru seven innings in Game #1, walking two & fanning six. He is 1-1 in the post season, having been roughed up by the Padres for four runs in the NLDS.

The surviving members of the Motown legends, the Temptations sang the National Anthem then sang a rendition of "My Girl" which is Francisco Lindor's walk up song.

The crowd sang along as Francisco sang along as well while warming up in the outfield.

Former 2015 NL Champion Mets, Matt Harvey threw out the ceremonial first pitch to Yoenis Cespedes.

In the top of the 1st, David Peterson started out shaky, as Shohei Ohtani led off with a single, then Mookie Betts followed with a double into center field, but Ohtani didn't score on the play. 

That worked into Peterson's advantage as he got Teoscar Hernandez to ground out, keeping the runners put, then Freddie Freeman to line out & then struck out Tommy Edman to end the inning. The Citi Field fans were fired up.

In the bottom of the 1st, with the crowd singing to his walk-up song "My Girl" that had been performed live just minutes earlier, Francisco Lindor singled to start off the game, with his 12th hit of the post season. Brandon Nimmo then drew a walk. 

Polar Bears 5th Post Season HR:  After Mark Vientos flew out, Pete Alonso electrified the crowd & his team, with a three run HR deep into right field, giving the Mets a 3-0 lead. It was Pete's fifth HR of the post season. He broke a 2-15 NLCS with no extra base hits & no RBIs thru the first four games. As Pete hits the Mets seem to win.

Quotes- Pete Alonso: "I'm happy I
was able to come through for the team right there. It's a big spot & I'm just happy to make an impact. This clubhouse is so tight knit. This is definitely one of the most special teams I've ever played for. To be able to come through for the boys right there, I'm so happy I was able to do that".

In the bottom of the 3rd, Pete Alonso & Jesse Winker started the inning with walks. Then Starling Marte cracked a double into the left field corner, bringing in both Alonso & Winker making it 5-1 Mets. Francisco Alvarez then singled bringing Matre with his first run of the NLCS. It was just his second RBI of the post season.

Third Multi- Hit NLCS Game: Francisco Lindor then tripled to right field, scoring Alvarez all the way from first base giving the Mets a 7-1 lead. It was Lindor's second hit of the game, giving him his third multi hit game of the NLCS. It was his 13th hit & eighth RBI in this post season.

The Mets hit parade continued in classic 2024 Mets fashion as Brandon Nimmo singled scoring Lindor making it 8-1.

In the top of the 4th, with two outs the Dodgers had crept back as Andy Pages homered. Ohtani then singled & Peterson walked Mookie Betts & Teoscar Hernandez loading the bases. Carlos Mendoza had to get Peterson out of there, he gave up two runs on six hits with four walks & three Ks. Reed Garrett came on to pitch striking out Freddie Freeman to end the inning.

In the bottom of the 4th, Brent Honeywell came on to pitch for L.A. staring out the inning by
hitting Pete Alonso with a pitch. Jesse Winker then drilled a shot that went into the right field corner, as Mookie Betts chased it, Pete chugged around the bases & scored, as Winker pulled in with the Mets second triple of the game. 

With two outs Jeff McNeil getting his first start of the post season, returning from injury drove in the Mets 10th run with a sac fly.

In the top of the 5th, Andy Pages would become the youngest Dodger to hit two HRs in a post season game when he hit a three run HR off Reed Garrett making it a 10-5 game. In one inning of work, Garrett gave up three runs on three hits, with a walk, two strike outs & the big HR.

In the top of the 6th Mookie Betts hit a solo HR off Ryne Stanek making it 10-6. Ryne Stanek gave the Mets 2.1 innings, recording a career high seven outs. He gave up a run ,a hit no walks & four strike outs. 

In the top of the 8th Edwin Diaz came making his first appearance since Game #2. Diaz was on, striking out Pages & Ohtani, then retiring Betts on a grounder to Jeff McNeil.

In the bottom of the 8th, Pete Alonso in what may have been his final at bat as a Met in Citi Field, reached base for the fourth time on the night, as he hit a broken bat single into right field. Alonso would have two hits, a walk, a hit by pitch & score four runs on the night.

In the 2024 post season Alonso has 13 hits with 13 walks 5 HRs 12 runs scored & 10 RBIs.

Jesse Winker then collected his second hit of the night with a line drive single to right field. Winker reached base three times on the night & scored three runs. In the post season he has seven hits with five RBIs & is batting .310.

Multi- Four Hit Game: Starling Marte then collected his fourth hit of the night, with a base hit scoring Alonso making it 12-6. Marte now has 21 hits & 10 RBIs in this post season, while batting .310. Marte has hit safely in four straight NLCS games.

In the top of the 9th, Diaz closed out the game, getting Enrique Hernandez to fly out to Marte in right to end the game.

Starling Marte had four hits on the night, Francisco Alvarez who is finally breaking out of his slump collected three hits. Alonso, Lindor & Winker all had two hits each. 

Alonso & Marte led the way with three RBI each. Jeff McNeil had two RBIs with a pair of sac flies. Lindor, Nimmo, Alvarez & Winker all had RBIs as well.

After scoring just two runs in the past two games & being shut out in Game #4, The Mets scored 12 runs on 14 hits, winning their first 2024 NLCS game at Citi Field. They now go to Los Angles down three games to two, playing Game #6 on Sunday.