In a gripping rematch of the 2024 National League Championship Series, Teoscar Hernández delivered a game-changing RBI double in the 13th inning, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 7–5 victory over the New York Mets at a rain-drenched Citi Field.
The marathon game, which began Friday night and ended early Saturday morning, captivated 40,449 fans who endured a 98-minute rain delay and a four-hour contest.
The Dodgers struck decisively in the 13th. Hernández’s double scored automatic runner Will Smith, and he later crossed the plate on Andy Pages’ sacrifice fly, securing a two-run lead. Luis García sealed the win with 2⅓ hitless relief innings, punctuated by Tommy Edman’s sliding catch at 12:56 a.m. A post-game fireworks display rewarded the resilient fans who stayed.
The Mets mounted a fierce comeback, erasing a 5–2 deficit. Jeff McNeil’s two-run triple and Tyrone Taylor’s RBI single in the ninth off Dodgers closer Tanner Scott, who recorded his fourth blown save, tied the game at 5–5. Despite chances in extra innings, New York stranded runners at third in the ninth and 11th, unable to capitalise against a resilient Dodgers bullpen.
Rain interrupted Clayton Kershaw’s second-season start in the third inning, but the Dodgers persevered. Will Smith, Max Muncy, and Andy Pages contributed RBI singles, while Brett Baty’s homer and Pete Alonso’s sacrifice fly, aided by an obstruction call, fueled the Mets’ offence. Huascar Brazobán, the Mets’ ninth pitcher, took the loss.
The Dodgers’ 20–5 record at Citi Field since 2017, including postseason games, underscores their dominance over the Mets. This thrilling victory reinforces their reputation as a powerhouse in high-stakes matchups.
