The roar during pregame introductions wasn't supposed to be the loudest of the night, but what else happened on Wednesday?
Save for a fast ball or two that might have ended up in the outfield in calmer wind conditions, the Mets posed little threat, a team that meekly disappeared into the Hollywood night in Game 1 of this NLCS. It was similar to
And now, after losing 8-0 in Game 3 at Citi Field, which tilted the series in the Dodgers' favor, the Mets are looking to get back on even footing.
“We play to put on a good show. [the fans]” said Francisco Lindor. “And we did nothing to give them time. They couldn't understand what they came here for.”
The Mets suffered their second shutout loss in three games against Walker Buehler and the Dodgers bullpen with just four hits (all singles).
The challenge won't get any easier Thursday, when Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto is scheduled to face Jose Quintana in Game 4.
Yamamoto, who was heavily acquired by the Mets in free agency last offseason, pitched five shutout innings in last Friday's National LDS deciding game against the Padres.
Manager Carlos Mendoza points out that Yamamoto is tougher on left-handed batters than right-handed batters, and hopes to keep options for right-handed batters such as Jose Iglesias and J.D. Martinez, who have fallen into slumps, in the lineup. he said.
The manager also plans to stick with Francisco Alvarez, who has been in a slump.
“We were able to get this far because of our guys there,” Mendoza said. “And I'm confident they will be successful.”
Shohei Ohtani delivered a knockout punch on the night, hitting a three-run homer against Tyler Megill in the eighth inning. The explosion was the Dodgers' second of the game, and many of the 43,883 people in attendance headed for the exits.
Luis Severino allowed two earned runs on three hits, four walks, and three strikeouts in 4/3 innings.
Severino, who threw 95 pitches, was unable to pitch six innings for the first time in three starts this postseason.
The Dodgers scored two unearned runs in the second inning, with no outs on first and second base due to Teoscar Hernandez's errant throw to Alvarez's second base.
After Severino couldn't handle Gavin Lux's come-from-behind hit (he lost a double play on a dropped ball), Will Smith's single hit bounced off Severino's glove, giving him the lead.
The inning of the Mets' Game 3 loss. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
Tommy Edman's subsequent hit to center field resulted in a sacrifice fly, but it could have been much worse. When Starling Marte hurdled him, Tyrone Taylor's sliding catch stopped the extra base hit.
The Mets loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning, and Alvarez and Lindor struck out Buehler to end the threat.
Martinez and Taylor issued walks in the first inning, and Iglesias reached with an infield hit.
Severino loaded the bases with two walks and a single in the third inning, but was able to escape by forcing Hernandez and Lux out in succession.
In the fifth inning, Freddie Freeman's two-out single and a walk to Muncy gave the Dodgers a threat. Severino was removed and Reid Garrett struck out Hernandez, keeping the Mets to 2-0.
Buehler pitched four shutout innings, allowing three hits, two walks, and striking out six. It was a rebound performance from the right-hander, who allowed six earned runs in five innings in Game 3 of the National League loss to the Padres.
Follow The Post's postseason coverage of the Mets:
In the sixth inning, Enrique Hernandez's two-run home run extended the Dodgers' lead to 4-0. Edman singled against Garrett with two outs and was forced to second base on a balk, but Hernandez hit a ball into the wind that went over the left-field fence for a two-run homer.
Marte's single and Martinez's walk against Ryan Brazier in the sixth inning caused a buzz from the fans, but Iglesias quickly canceled it out with an inning-ending grounder, forcing an inning-ending double play.
“We're increasing traffic,” Mendoza said. “I like the fact that we have guys on base. We just haven't had a big hit yet, but I'm looking forward to continuing to get opportunities with the guys.”
In the eighth inning, after Smith walked and Enrique Hernandez singled against Megill, Ohtani hit a towering shot over the right-field foul pole for his second home run of the postseason.
Muncy hit a home run against Megill starting in the ninth inning, putting the Mets in an 8–0 hole.
“We lost 9-0 in the first game and came back to win,” Garrett said. “I don't see any reason why it can't be done. [Thursday]”
