The Los Angeles Dodgers capitalized on a late-inning defensive error and a clutch base hit by Michael Conforto to rally past the New York Mets 6-5 on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. The win allowed Los Angeles to earn a split in the four-game series between two of the National League’s top teams.
Conforto, who has struggled at the plate for much of the season, came through with a tiebreaking RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning off Mets reliever Reed Garrett. The run capped a three-run frame that saw the Dodgers erase a 5-3 deficit with help from a critical fielding miscue.
Los Angeles entered the game as slight favorites with most sportsbooks setting them at -115 on the moneyline. The Mets were priced near +105, and the over/under was generally posted at nine runs. The combined 11 runs scored pushed the game well over the total.
Will Smith began the Dodgers’ eighth-inning surge with a run-scoring double that trimmed the deficit to one. Moments later, a grounder by rookie Andy Pages was mishandled in bizarre fashion. Third baseman Brett Baty fielded the ball cleanly but made a low throw to the plate. Catcher Francisco Alvarez failed to secure the ball, and in the ensuing confusion, Garrett was blocked from reaching Smith as he attempted to tag him at home. That play allowed the tying run to score and set up Conforto’s eventual game-winner.
Mookie Betts reached base four times and contributed an RBI double early in the contest. The Dodgers concluded their seven-game homestand with a 4-3 record against the Yankees and Mets.
On the mound, Dodgers starter Landon Knack labored through 3 2/3 innings, issuing five walks and allowing four hits. The right-hander struggled to contain New York’s lineup, which got early home runs from Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, and Starling Marte.
David Peterson delivered seven effective innings for the Mets, limiting Los Angeles to three runs while striking out six. However, the bullpen was unable to protect the lead. Garrett (1-2) was tagged with the loss after allowing three unearned runs in the decisive eighth inning.
Alex Vesia (2-0) recorded the final out of the top of the eighth to earn the win. Tanner Scott secured his 11th save of the season by retiring the Mets in the ninth, continuing a positive stretch after early-season struggles.
Francisco Lindor was held out of the Mets’ lineup after suffering a fractured right pinky toe when hit by a pitch on Wednesday. His absence was felt on defense during the late-inning collapse.
Conforto, who entered the night mired in a 5-for-42 slump over the past three weeks, raised his season batting average to .167 with his game-winning hit.
The Dodgers head to St. Louis for a weekend series against the Cardinals, sending left-hander Justin Wrobleski (1-1, 8.00 ERA) to the mound for his first start since April 8. The Mets travel to Denver, where right-hander Kodai Senga (6-3, 1.60 ERA) will start Friday against the Colorado Rockies.
