In a thrilling showdown at Dodger Stadium on Monday night, June 2, 2025, the New York Mets edged out the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers in a tense 10-inning battle, 4-3. This victory marked the Mets' eighth win in their last nine games and extended their current winning streak to four, underscoring their dominant form as they continue their National League Championship Series rematch against the Dodgers.
The game was a rollercoaster of emotions, with standout performances on both sides. Francisco Lindor ignited the Mets early, launching a towering leadoff home run off Dodgers pitcher Dustin May. This marked Lindor's sixth leadoff homer of the season and his 14th overall, tying him for the major league lead with Shohei Ohtani. The homer was a thunderous blast, traveling an impressive 417 feet at 106.6 mph, setting the tone for the night.
Paul Blackburn made his season debut for the Mets, delivering a masterful five innings of shutout baseball, allowing just three hits and one walk while striking out three. Blackburn’s performance was particularly notable given it was his first major league appearance since August 2024, after a back injury and a subsequent knee issue in spring training. He even struck out Ohtani twice, holding the Dodgers' star slugger in check early in the game. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza indicated Blackburn might transition to the bullpen moving forward, a strategic move to maximize the right-hander’s effectiveness.
Dustin May was solid for the Dodgers, pitching six innings and yielding six hits. Despite his efforts, the Dodgers found themselves trailing as the Mets capitalized on key moments. Brandon Nimmo doubled in the fifth inning to extend the Mets’ lead, driving in Jeff McNeil for an insurance run. The Mets’ offense was opportunistic, though they left several runners on base throughout the game, including a bases-loaded situation in the fifth that ended without additional runs.
The Dodgers fought back in the seventh inning when Shohei Ohtani unleashed a 424-foot solo home run off Mets reliever Max Kranick, narrowing the score to 2-1. This was Ohtani’s 23rd homer of the season, his fifth in seven games, tying him with Seattle’s Cal Raleigh for the major league lead. Ohtani’s power display kept the Dodgers within striking distance and energized their lineup.
As the game wore on, Mets closer Edwin Díaz, pitching for the third time in four days, experienced his first blown save of the season. After a shaky ninth inning where he allowed singles to Tommy Edman and Hyeseong Kim, Ohtani delivered a clutch sacrifice fly to tie the game at 2-2, sending the contest into extra innings and raising the stakes.
The 10th inning showcased the Mets’ resilience and clutch hitting. Tanner Scott, the Dodgers’ reliever, struggled as Francisco Alvarez, who had been in a slump, delivered a crucial RBI double to right field, scoring the automatic runner and giving the Mets a vital lead. This hit was Alvarez’s first RBI in 57 at-bats since May 4, a key moment that breathed new life into the Mets' offense.
Following Alvarez’s double, Francisco Lindor singled to bring in pinch-runner Starling Marte, extending the Mets’ lead to 4-2. Mets reliever José Castillo then took the mound but allowed a walk to Freddie Freeman and an RBI single to Andy Pages, cutting the lead to 4-3 and putting the Dodgers back within one run with runners on base.
With the tension mounting and the tying run in scoring position, Mets manager Mendoza turned to José Buttó, who calmly induced a grounder from Tommy Edman and struck out pinch-hitter Will Smith, securing his first save of the season and clinching the victory for the Mets. Buttó’s performance earned him the title of the “Big Mets winner,” with a +32.7% win probability added (WPA), while Díaz’s blown save accounted for a -30.8% WPA, highlighting the fine margins in such a tightly contested game.
The Mets’ win was bolstered by their continued dominance when Lindor homers, extending their winning streak in such games to 27, the second-longest in major league history behind only the Brooklyn Dodgers’ 29-game streak during 1951-53 when Carl Furillo homered. This statistic underscores Lindor’s impact and the team’s ability to capitalize on his power at the plate.
However, the night was not without concern for the Mets, as Mark Vientos limped off the field in the 10th inning with right hamstring discomfort after falling while leaving the batter’s box. Vientos received treatment but was uncertain if he would require an MRI, leaving fans and the team anxious about his status moving forward.
Looking ahead, the Mets will aim to build on this momentum as they prepare for the second game of the four-game series against the Dodgers. Scheduled to start Tuesday, June 3, 2025, Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw (0-0, 4.91 ERA) will face Mets right-hander Tylor Megill (4-4, 3.52 ERA), setting the stage for another intense pitching duel.
The game also held special significance as it was Lou Gehrig Day, with every player wearing a pinstriped patch bearing the number 4, honoring the legendary Yankees icon. This added a layer of reverence to an already electric atmosphere at Dodger Stadium.
Throughout the game, the Mets’ pitching staff combined for a +34.3% WPA, while the hitters contributed +15.7%, reflecting a balanced team effort. Francisco Alvarez’s RBI double in the 10th inning was the game’s most impactful play, contributing +22.7% WPA, while Andy Pages’ RBI single for the Dodgers was the most detrimental, with a -19.4% WPA.
In summary, the Mets’ 4-3 extra-inning victory over the Dodgers was a showcase of grit, clutch hitting, and solid pitching performances. With their current form and key players stepping up at crucial moments, the Mets are positioning themselves as a formidable contender as the season progresses. The Dodgers, meanwhile, remain dangerous, with Ohtani’s power and the team’s resilience promising more thrilling encounters in this heated rivalry. The stage is set for an exciting continuation of this series, with both teams eager to assert dominance in the National League.
