Field Level Media
Aug 13, 2021
Will Smith hit a two-run homer leading off the 10th inning Friday night for the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers, who went on to beat the New York Mets 6-5 in the opener of a three-game series.
The Dodgers, who were victorious in extra innings for just the second time in 14 tries this year, have won five of six overall.
The Mets had their three-game winning streak snapped as they missed an opportunity to move into first place in the National League East ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies, who maintained their half-game lead despite a 6-1 loss to the Cincinnati Reds.
Smith's homer off Jeurys Familia (6-3) ensured the Dodgers would not lose a game in which they raced out to a 4-0 lead. Kenley Jansen (2-4) threw a perfect ninth before giving up an unearned run and stranding two runners in the 10th.
The Dodgers built their initial lead thanks to a first-inning RBI double by Corey Seager and sacrifice flies by Will Smith (third inning), Trea Turner (fourth inning) and Billy McKinney (sixth inning). The three sacrifice flies were the most for Los Angeles since it lofted three against the Colorado Rockies on April 6, 2019, and one shy of the franchise record.
The Mets got just one runner beyond first base in the first six innings before tying the game with a two-out rally in the seventh against a trio of Dodgers relievers. Michael Conforto laced a pinch-hit double off Brusdar Graterol and scored when Dominic Smith hit a single off Justin Bruihl.
After a pair of walks, Jeff McNeil blooped a two-run single just in front of a diving Cody Bellinger in center field. Blake Treinen entered and Pete Alonso raced home with the tying run on a passed ball with J.D. Davis at the plate.
The Mets' rally cost Julio Urias, who is tied for the major league lead in wins with the Chicago Cubs' Kyle Hendricks, his 14th victory. Urias, pitching a day after his 25th birthday, allowed two hits and walked two while striking out five over five scoreless innings.
Mets rookie Tylor Megill gave up three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out six over five innings.
--Field Level Media