NEW YORK (AP) — Cody Bellinger hit a tiebreaking double in the 10th inning to lift the Los Angeles Dodgers over the Mets 2-1 on Saturday night after Will Smith homered in the seventh for the first hit off New York starter Taijuan Walker.
What You Need To Know
- The 10-inning win was the second in two nights for the Dodgers, who were 1-12 in extra-inning games entering the series opener Friday
- Phil Bickford got four outs for the win and Corey Knebel retired Brandon Nimmo with a runner on second to earn his third save
- Bellinger’s clutch hit decided a game that began with a taut pitching duel between Walker and Dodgers starter Walker Buehler
- Neither allowed a hit until Michael Conforto homered for the Mets in the fourth
The 10-inning win was the second in two nights for the Dodgers, who were 1-12 in extra-inning games entering the series opener Friday.
Yennsy Diaz (0-2) struck out Chris Taylor before Bellinger, who hooked a potential go-ahead double just foul down the first-base line in the seventh, laced one a few feet inside the line this time to score automatic runner Corey Seager.
Phil Bickford (2-1) got the final two outs of the ninth and struck out the first two batters in the 10th before Corey Knebel retired Brandon Nimmo to earn his third save.
Bellinger’s clutch hit decided a game that began with a taut pitching duel between Walker and Dodgers starter Walker Buehler. Neither allowed a hit until Michael Conforto homered for the Mets just beyond the grasp of right fielder Billy McKinney with two outs in the fourth.
Walker, who threw a one-hitter for the Seattle Mariners against the Minnesota Twins on July 31, 2015, allowed just two balls out of the infield in the first 6 1/3 innings before Smith homered into the first row of the second deck in left field.
Smith’s two-run homer in the 10th inning Friday snapped a tie in the Dodgers’ 6-5 win.
Seager followed with a double and Walker’s evening ended when he issued a two-out walk to Taylor. Bellinger worked the count to 3-1 against Aaron Loup — after which Mets manager Luis Rojas was thrown out for arguing with plate umpire Ben May — before striking out.
Walker walked three and struck out eight in lowering his second-half ERA from 9.86 to 7.81.
Buehler, who was looking to tie for the major league lead in wins, allowed four hits and three walks with 10 strikeouts in seven innings. The right-hander, who has 12 wins, lowered his major league-best ERA from 2.13 to 2.09.
Walker’s no-hit bid was the longest by a Mets pitcher in exactly five years. Steven Matz twirled 7 1/3 no-hit innings against San Diego on Aug. 14, 2016, before allowing a single to Alexei Ramirez. Matz was immediately pulled but earned the win in New York's 5-1 victory.
The Mets have thrown 39 one-hitters but just one no-hitter — Johan Santana’s gem on June 1, 2012.
The 10-strikeout game marked the third time this season Buehler reached double digits and the 11th time in his career. He also threw at least 110 pitches for the third time this season, making him one of just nine pitchers with at least three 110-pitch efforts.
Dodgers: LHP Julio Urias (bruised left calf) was placed on the 10-day injured list. Urias was hit by a pitch while batting in the fourth inning Friday. … 3B Justin Turner (left groin) struck out as a pinch-hitter in the 10th and could return to the starting lineup Sunday. Manager Dave Roberts said Turner, who missed the previous four games, felt better after exhibiting “dynamic movements” while fielding grounders and taking batting practice Friday.
Mets: RHP Drew Smith (right shoulder) was placed on the 10-day injured list. … SS Francisco Lindor (right oblique) swung from the left side and continued ramping up his baseball activities. … INF Luis Guillorme (left hamstring) is also participating in baseball activities. Rojas said Guillorme remains week-to-week.
Dodgers: RHP Max Scherzer (9-4, 2.67 ERA) will make his third start since his blockbuster acquisition from the Nationals.
Mets: RHP Carlos Carrasco (0-0, 6.75 ERA), who missed the first four months with a hamstring injury, is slated to make his fourth start with New York.