Field Level Media
Sep 14, 2019
Rajai Davis laced a pinch-hit, three-run double in the eighth inning Saturday night to break a scoreless tie and lift the host New York Mets to a 3-0 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Mets (77-71) won for the fifth time in six games to remain three games behind the Chicago Cubs in the race for the National League's second wild card. The NL West champion Dodgers (96-54) lost for only the fourth time in their last 12.
The Mets built their rally against three relievers and didn't put a ball into play until Davis' hit. Adam Kolarek opened the inning by striking out Robinson Cano, after which Joe Kelly (5-4) entered and plunked Todd Frazier with his first pitch. Kelly struck out Juan Lagares before being relieved by Julio Urias, who hit Brandon Nimmo with a pitch and walked Amed Rosario on five pitches.
The 38-year-old Davis, who was hitless in his 10 previous at-bats, hit for Seth Lugo (6-3) and doubled to left on a 1-2 pitch.
Lugo struck out the side in a perfect eighth. Justin Wilson earned his third save with a perfect ninth.
Davis' hit provided the only offense on a night in which Cy Young Award candidates Jacob deGrom and Hyun-Jin Ryu engaged each other in a masterful pitching duel.
The Mets' deGrom, the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner, continued surging back into contention for this year's honor by allowing three hits and no walks while striking out eight over seven innings. He has the lowest ERA among pitchers with at least 16 starts in the NL (2.09) since May 22, a 21-start span. The no-decision marked the major league-leading 21st time deGrom has gone at least seven innings and allowed one run or fewer yet not earned a win since 2014.
Ryu, who was the overwhelming favorite to win this year's Cy Young Award before going 0-3 with a 9.95 ERA in his previous four starts, got back on track by allowing just two hits and no walks while striking out six over seven innings. He didn't allow a runner past first base and retired the final 13 batters he faced.
--Field Level Media