Dodgers Use 2-Run Ninth Inning To Take Series From Mets
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Adrian Gonzalez snapped a ninth-inning tie with a two-run single off suddenly struggling closer Jeurys Familia, and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the New York Mets 4-2 on Sunday night.
Curtis Granderson hit a tying triple for the Mets immediately after Clayton Kershaw was lifted with two outs in the eighth. But the Dodgers quickly regrouped for their sixth victory in seven games since losing four straight.
Los Angeles took two of three at Citi Field before a trio of sellout crowds on a weekend when the NL champion Mets celebrated the 30th anniversary of their 1986 World Series crown. The Dodgers won the season series 4-3 after New York captured a tense, five-game playoff between the teams in October.
Kershaw struck out 10, walked none and capped a magnificent May with another sublime performance. He was in position to win his sixth consecutive start when manager Dave Roberts made a double-switch with a runner on first in the eighth, pulling Kershaw after 114 pitches.
The three-time Cy Young Award winner and 2014 NL MVP didn't look happy about it, handing the ball to Roberts and briskly walking off the mound without appearing to make much eye contact.
Roberts went to left-hander Adam Liberatore, who had limited left-handed batters to a .107 average this season (3 for 28). But the move backfired when Granderson hit an RBI triple to the 370-foot sign on the right-field fence over a leaping Yasiel Puig.
Liberatore (1-0) struck out Asdrubal Cabrera, who homered earlier off Kershaw, to end the inning.
Familia blew a four-run lead in the ninth inning of the series opener only to get bailed out by Granderson, who hit a game-winning homer in the bottom half. This time, the reliever wasn't so fortunate.
Kike Hernandez, who entered in the double-switch, singled leading off the ninth, and Familia loaded the bases with consecutive one-out walks. Gonzalez, who had three RBIs, pulled his hands in on a 98 mph pitch and fought it off enough to send a soft single over second base.
Familia (2-1) allowed more runs in the Dodgers series (six) than he previously had all season (five).
Kenley Jansen worked a perfect ninth for his 15th save in 17 chances.
Kershaw permitted four hits, including Cabrera's home run on a 74 mph curve with two outs in the sixth. It was the first homer off the ace left-hander in six starts, since Giancarlo Stanton's three-run shot at Dodger Stadium on April 26, when Miami handed Kershaw his only loss this season.
Gonzalez had an RBI single and Justin Turner drove in Chase Utley with a groundout to help the Dodgers build a 2-0 lead against Bartolo Colon, who pitched six solid innings in his first outing since turning 43 last Tuesday.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Dodgers: LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu (shoulder surgery) woke up with shoulder soreness after his most recent rehab outing with Triple-A Oklahoma City and will probably skip a turn, Roberts said. He could still be two rehab starts from rejoining the Dodgers. ... RHP Kenta Maeda should be fine to make his next scheduled start Thursday against the Cubs after getting hit in the pitching hand by a line drive Saturday that did not knock him out of the game. X-rays were negative and the swelling went down. "We dodged a bullet," Roberts said. ... OF Trayce Thompson, who left Saturday's game with lower back soreness, was 100 percent and available off the bench, according to Roberts. ... RHP Brandon McCarthy (Tommy John surgery) will face hitters Monday.
Mets: Wilmer Flores (hamstring) was activated from the 15-day disabled list and played third base in place of captain David Wright, who missed his second consecutive game with a neck problem. Wright, who has homered in his last three games, was scheduled to be examined by doctors again and is not expected to play Monday, either. He was given anti-inflammatory medicine and will be re-examined in 48 hours, manager Terry Collins said. ... RHP Noah Syndergaard could be available out of the bullpen Tuesday night against the White Sox before he makes his next scheduled start Friday in Miami, Collins said. Syndergaard threw only 34 pitches Saturday, when he was ejected in the third inning for firing a 99 mph fastball behind Utley.
UP NEXT
Dodgers: LHP Alex Wood (1-3, 4.03 ERA) starts Monday afternoon against RHP Jason Hammel (6-1, 2.17) and the major league-leading Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Wood's turn was pushed back three days due to a sore left triceps. In his most recent outing, he struck out a career-high 13 and walked one in six innings at San Diego.
Mets: RHP Matt Harvey (3-7, 6.08 ERA) tries again to get back on track when he faces the skidding White Sox in a Memorial Day matinee at Citi Field. AL ERA leader Jose Quintana (5-4, 2.22) pitches for Chicago, which has dropped six straight and 14 of 18.
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