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New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso has no idea how to explain the swing that generated a three-run homer out to center field in Game 5 of the NLCS to set the tone in a season-saving 12-6 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday.
Alonso took a slider from Dodgers starter Jack Flaherty that was almost in the dirt by the time he started his swing, but it wound up going an “inexplainable” 432 feet when it landed.
“I was just looking for something over the middle of the plate,” Alonso told reporters after the game. “I didn’t really realize how low the pitch was. I got caught a little out front. … Honestly, it’s inexplainable. It’s the magic of the postseason. And I’m just happy I squared it up.”
MLB.com’s Sarah Langs noted the pitch was 1.12 feet off the ground when it was hit, which is the second-lowest pitch hit for a homer in the postseason in the Statcast era (since 2008).
The only one lower was Daniel Murphy’s homer off Jake Arrieta for the Mets in Game 2 of the 2015 NLCS (1.06 feet).
That could be a good omen for the Mets since Murphy’s blast came in a series they won to advance to the World Series, but the 2024 team still has a lot of work to do to reach that point.
The Mets were able to avoid elimination on Friday, but they still trail the Dodgers in the series 3-2 as they go back to Los Angeles. It was an encouraging sign to see the offense breakout after scoring a total of two runs in the first two games at Citi Field.
Flaherty only made it through three innings, allowing eight runs on eight hits. He pitched seven shutout innings in the Dodgers’ 9-0 win in Game 1.
After falling behind 10-2 going into the fifth, the Dodgers did chip away at the lead with four runs in the next two innings. The Mets were able to shut them out over the final three innings to get the win.
Alonso, in what might have been his final home game with the Mets as he prepares to hit free agency this offseason, had a stellar showing. He finished 2-for-3 with a homer, three RBI and four runs scored in five plate appearances.
The Mets and Dodgers will play Game 6 of the NLCS on Sunday at 8:08 p.m. ET. Sean Manaea will get the ball for New York looking to force a decisive Game 7. He allowed two earned runs with seven strikeouts in the Mets’ Game 2 victory.
Los Angeles has yet to announce a starting pitcher. A win on Sunday will send the Dodgers to the World Series for the fourth time since 2017.
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