Mets blanked for second time in NLCS as Dodgers dominate in Game 3 to take 2-1 series lead
NEW YORK — When the NLCS began, the Mets had an obvious edge over the Los Angeles Dodgers when it came to starting pitching. The Dodgers have 10 pitchers on the injured list, including three starting pitchers, while the Mets have a deep rotation full of starters who have been pitching deep into games.
But some bad habits came back to haunt the Mets in Game 3 on Wednesday night at Citi Field. There were missed opportunities at the plate and some hard-hit balls that died on the warning track, but coupled with a shaky start from Luis Severino and a bullpen blowup the Mets were doomed in an 8-0 loss.
Of course, it didn’t help that the bats failed to give the pitching staff any help.
The lineup created plenty of traffic on the bases but never got the hit they needed, leaving eight runners on base and going 0 for 4 with runners in scoring position. The Dodgers shut out the Mets for the second time in three games to take a 2-1 lead in the series.
The big hitters did little, with Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso and J.D. Martinez combining to go 0 for 10.
But Reed Garrett gave up a two-run homer in the top of the sixth to double the Los Angeles lead (4-0), and Tylor Megill gave up two homers in three innings of relief. Working out of the bullpen for the second time this month, Megill allowed four earned runs on five hits, walked three and struck out only two in mop-up duty.
After cleaning up the walks over the last few months, they came back to haunt the Mets once again when they walked seven hitters.
Severino and Los Angeles right-hander Walker Buehler engaged in an ugly pitchers’ duel of sorts. They both walked hitters early and got into trouble with their pitch counts, leading to short outings. Buehler went four innings and Severino went 4 2/3.
It was a particularly ugly game for Alvarez, who went 0 for 3 with three strikeouts, but his decision to throw to second base to get the lead runner in the second inning was an especially poor one.
