Pete Alonso swung the momentum in favor of the New York Mets with an early three-run homer, helping his team cruise to a dominant 12-6 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series (NLCS) on Friday. The Mets, who had their backs against the wall, came out swinging, extending the series and bringing it back to Los Angeles for a critical Game 6.
This win was a pivotal moment for New York, and it felt like a collective exhale for the team and their fans. Facing elimination, the Mets played like a team with nothing to lose and everything to gain. They went from being down 3-1 in the series to keeping their World Series dreams alive. Alonso's three-run homer set the tone early, and from there, the Mets never looked back. Alonso's blast, which came off a low slider from Dodgers pitcher Jack Flaherty, traveled a whopping 432 feet, landing deep in center field. It was Alonso’s fourth home run of the postseason, adding to his already impressive October resume.
Not to be outdone, Starling Marte was a force at the plate, collecting four hits, including three doubles, and driving in three runs. Francisco Alvarez, who had been in a bit of a slump, broke out in a big way with three hits of his own, including an RBI single that was part of a five-run explosion in the third inning. Francisco Lindor and Jesse Winker also contributed with timely RBI triples. The Mets’ 12-run performance was one shy of their postseason franchise record of 13, which they set in Game 3 of the 2015 NL Division Series, also against the Dodgers. But this time, those 12 runs came in a do-or-die situation, making it all the more impressive.
The Mets’ offense wasn’t the only story of the night. Their ability to avoid strikeouts stood out in a big way. After striking out 12 times in the previous game, they didn’t whiff once in Game 5—a rare feat in postseason history. In fact, the Mets became just the third team ever to avoid striking out in an elimination game, joining the ranks of the 1960 New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates.
Jack Flaherty, who had the opportunity to send his hometown team to the World Series, simply didn’t have it. In a complete reversal from his Game 1 performance, where he threw seven shutout innings, Flaherty was tagged for eight runs on eight hits in just three innings. Alonso’s home run came just four batters into the game, putting the Dodgers in a hole they couldn't dig out of. Flaherty didn’t record a single strikeout, marking the first time that had happened since a September 2022 game when he was still with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Alonso’s homer was reminiscent of his clutch shot in Game 3 of the Wild Card Series against Milwaukee. In that game, he hit a go-ahead home run in the ninth inning with the Mets down to their final two outs, facing elimination. That dramatic blast kept New York’s season alive, and now Alonso has done it again, extending his tenure in a Mets uniform just a little longer as he heads toward free agency.
Even with an 8-1 lead handed to starter David Peterson, the game wasn’t entirely without some late drama. Dodgers rookie Andy Pages put on a show with two home runs and four RBIs, while Mookie Betts also went deep for the second consecutive game. The Dodgers managed to cut the Mets' lead to 10-6, making things interesting as they showed why they’re one of the most dangerous teams in the league.
But New York's bullpen stepped up when it mattered most. Ryne Stanek and Edwin Díaz came in to lock things down, with Stanek earning the win after a career-high 2 1/3 innings of relief. Díaz, always reliable in the late innings, got six crucial outs without giving up a run, ensuring the Mets would live to fight another day. With the way they handled the Dodgers’ late surge, it’s clear that the Mets’ bullpen will be a key factor as the series heads back to Los Angeles.
The Mets’ ability to bounce back in elimination games has been nothing short of remarkable. After getting blown out in three of the first four games of this series—including two straight losses at home—they could have folded. Instead, they came out swinging and reminded everyone that they’re still in the fight. This was the second time in these playoffs that they saved their season with a three-run homer from Alonso, and if Game 5 was any indication, they have no intention of going quietly.
“We came in with the same mentality: Go and win this game and go back to L.A.,” said Edwin Díaz in his postgame interview. “We played really good baseball against a really good team. At the end of the day, the guys did their job and the bullpen did their job. And we got the W.”
Momentum is a powerful thing in baseball, and right now, it’s firmly in the Mets’ corner. Francisco Alvarez, who had a breakout game after struggling in the series, put it best: “I think that this is about momentum, and we take the momentum back today,” he told Fox after the game. “So we have to keep going with the two games in Los Angeles.”
Looking ahead to Game 6, the Mets are expected to give the ball to Sean Manaea, who will be working on five days' rest. Meanwhile, the Dodgers are dealing with a rotation that’s been ravaged by injuries, meaning they’ll likely rely on another bullpen game. With their backs still against the wall, the Mets are playing loose and with house money, while the Dodgers are feeling the pressure of closing out the series at home.
Game 6 promises to be an exciting showdown, with everything on the line for both teams. If the Mets can find a way to replicate their Game 5 performance, we could be looking at a Game 7 for all the marbles. One thing’s for sure: This Mets team isn’t done fighting, and as long as they have Pete Alonso in the lineup, they’ll believe they can win.
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