Not only did the New York Mets demolish the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday night in Game 3 of the NLDS, but they also helped set a new MLB postseason record with their offensive performance.
New York defeated Los Angeles by a score of 13-7 thanks to an early offensive surge that yielded 10 runs in the first four innings. They now lead the NLDS series 2-1 over the Dodgers and can punch their ticket to the NLCS with a win at Citi Field on Tuesday night.
The 20 runs scored and four home runs hit in last night's contest set MLB postseason records for home runs (21) and runs scored (61) in a single day of playoff action. The Mets/Dodgers matchup was the final game of Monday's four-game slate.
New York also set a franchise record with 13 runs scored in a single game.
Yoenis Cespedes and Travis d'Arnaud highlighted the Mets' onslaught. Both sluggers went 3-for-5 with three runs scored, a home run and three RBIs. Curtis Granderson also had a huge night and finished 2-for-5 with five RBIs, including a bases-clearing three-run double in the second inning, which gave New York a 4-3 lead.
They never trailed again.
Matt Harvey allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits and two walks over five innings and recorded his first career postseason victory. Los Angeles scored those three runs in the second inning and appeared as if they'd be able to take advantage of the Mets' early struggles, but left-hander Brett Anderson couldn't hold on to the lead in the bottom half of the inning. Anderson was pulled after three innings and gave up six earned runs on seven hits.
Manager Don Mattingly replaced Anderson with Alex Wood, another left-hander. Wood, who was 0-3 with a 4.35 ERA in seven previous starts against New York, was charged with four earned runs on four hits and two walks in just two innings.
Dodgers' right-hander Pedro Baez added to the team's bullpen woes and surrendered three earned runs on one hit and two walks without even recording an out.
Los Angeles added two long balls from Adrian Gonzalez in the seventh (solo shot off Bartolo Colon) and Howie Kendrick in the ninth (three-run blast off Erik Goeddel), but at that point it was much too late.
Now playing with their backs against the wall in tonight's upcoming Game 4, the Dodgers will turn to Clayton Kershaw on three days rest. The left-hander was handed a loss in Game 1 after he allowed three earned runs on four hits and four walks over 6 1/3 innings.
He'll face Mets' rookie left-hander Steven Matz, who shut down Los Angeles in his second career MLB start back in July.
Tune in to TBS at 8:07 p.m. ET tonight for Game 4 of the NLDS.
