Field Level Media
Aug 14, 2021
Cody Bellinger hit a tiebreaking double with one out in the 10th inning after Wil Smith homered to end a no-hit bid by Taijuan Walker in the seventh as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the host New York Mets 2-1 on Saturday night.
Bellinger gave the Dodgers their second straight extra-inning win when he roped a 2-1 fastball off Yennsy Diaz (0-2) down the right field line. The ball caromed off a side wall in foul territory, and designated runner Corey Seager easily scored before right fielder Michael Conforto could retrieve the ball.
In danger of being no-hit for the second time this season, the Dodgers ended Walker's attempt at the second no-hitter in Mets history in the seventh. Smith hammered an 0-1 slider into the first row of the second deck beyond the left-center field fence to tie the game at 1-all with one out.
It was Smith's 17th homer and second in as many games. On Friday, Smith hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the 10th of a 6-5 win after the Dodgers blew a four-run lead.
The Dodgers improved to 3-12 in extra innings thanks to Bellinger, whose clutch hit occurred after he struck out with two on in the seventh against Aaron Loup to cap an eventful encounter. He whiffed after missing a double by inches on the first pitch of his at-bat, and two pitches after plate umpire Ben May ejected New York manager Luis Rojas.
Los Angeles right-hander Walker Buehler allowed Conforto's homer in the fourth among four hits he surrendered in seven innings. Buehler struck out 10 for his 11th career double-digit strikeout game and issued three walks.
Phil Bickford (2-1) got the final two outs of the ninth and two strikeouts to start the 10th. Corey Knebel retired Brandon Nimmo for his third save.
Walker allowed one run and two hits in 6 2/3 innings. He struck out eight and walked three.
It was the second time this season Walker reached the sixth inning with a no-hitter. On July 3 at Yankee Stadium, he pitched 5 1/3 hitless innings before allowing a homer to Aaron Judge.
--Field Level Media