LOS ANGELES (AP) — Francisco Lindor hit a tiebreaking two-run home run in the seventh inning and the New York Mets won their fifth straight game, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-4 on Friday night.
Lindor sent his second homer of the season 396 feet into right field off Daniel Hudson (1-1) to give the Mets a 6-4 lead in the seventh after the Dodgers erased an early four-run deficit.
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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Francisco Lindor hit a tiebreaking two-run home run in the seventh inning and the New York Mets won their fifth straight game, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-4 on Friday night.
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Mets' Francisco Lindor (12) scores off of a single hit by DJ Stewart during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith is at left. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Mets' Francisco Lindor (12) returns to the dugout after hitting a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. Starling Marte (6) also scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Mets' Francisco Lindor (12) celebrates with designated hitter DJ Stewart after hitting a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. Starling Marte also scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
“It was pretty big for him to come through in that situation after we lost the lead,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “I've been saying it. He's a really good player, and at some point he was going to get going. Here he is, having a great night coming through when we needed it.”
DJ Stewart homered and had three RBIs, Starling Marte added a two-run single in the eighth, and the Mets have bounced back after losing their first five games by winning 11 of their last 14.
“Figgy hitting a bomb, DJ hitting a bomb, like everybody contributed,” said starter Sean Manea, who allowed two runs in five innings.
Chris Taylor broke out of an 0-for-31 slump with a two-run single and Shohei Ohtani had an RBI, but the Dodgers lost for the sixth time in eight games. Yoshinobu Yamamoto gave up three earned runs, seven hits and a walk while striking out nine in six innings.
“I think I had both a good quality and a bad quality with my fastball today,” Yamamoto said through a translator. “I did have some positive things in today’s game."
Ohtani got Los Angeles on the board by scoring from second in the fourth, and the Dodgers within 4-2 in the fifth with an RBI single.
Taylor ended his skid with a sharp bases-loaded single to left off Reed Garrett (3-0), tying the game at 4 in the sixth.
The Mets got two runs in the second and two more in the third, marking a departure after Yamamoto’s previous struggles in the first inning. Yamamoto had allowed seven of the eight earned runs over his first four starts in the first inning.
Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez left the game after jamming his left thumb in the second inning when he put his hand down to try and keep his balance coming around first after a bad throw by catcher Will Smith.
Mendoza said he was “pretty concerned” about the injury. Alvarez was getting an MRI, Mendoza added, and expected to have more clarity on Saturday.
“He was in pain, so I'm worried about it,” Mendoza said.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Mets: INF Brett Baty (hamstring) took batting practice and went through a full workout on Friday. Mendoza remains optimistic Baty, who was hurt on Tuesday, will not have to go on the injured list.
Dodgers: RHP Walker Buehler (Tommy John surgery) will make another rehabilitation start on Wednesday. He allowed two runs on four hits and four walks in 2 2/3 innings for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday.
UP NEXT
Mets: RHP José Buttó (0-0, 0.75 ERA) has thrown six solid innings in each of his first two starts, both 2-1 wins against the Detroit Tigers on April 4 and Kansas City Royals on Sunday. But, he did not factor into the decision in either game.
Dodgers: RHP Gavin Stone (1-1, 6.14) got his first win of the season on Saturday, giving up two runs in 6 2/3 innings in a 5-2 victory over the San Diego Padres.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) swings a strike during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Mets' Francisco Lindor (12) scores off of a single hit by DJ Stewart during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith is at left. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Mets' Francisco Lindor (12) returns to the dugout after hitting a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. Starling Marte (6) also scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Mets' Francisco Lindor (12) celebrates with designated hitter DJ Stewart after hitting a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. Starling Marte also scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
TORONTO (AP) — William Nylander scored twice, Joseph Woll made 22 saves and the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Boston Bruins 2-1 on Thursday night to force a seventh game in the first-round Eastern Conference series.
Toronto has overcame a 3-1 series deficit, also staving off elimination with a 2-1 victory in overtime in Boston on Tuesday night, to send the series back to Boston for a winner-take-all finale Saturday night. The series winner will face the Florida Panthers.
Morgan Rielly assisted on both goals.
Jeremy Swayman stopped 24 shots for the Bruins, who also blew a 3-1 lead against the Florida Panthers last year in the first round before losing in Game 7 following a record-setting regular season. Morgan Geekie spoiled Woll’s shutout bid with 0.1 seconds left.
Bruins coach Jim Montgomery wants to see more from his team in the decider and called out forward David Pastrnak by name.
“Your best players need to be your best players this time of year,” Montgomery said. “I think the effort is tremendous and they need to come through with some big-time plays in big-time moments. “I think (captain Brad) Marchand has done that in the series. Pasta needs to step up.”
Said Pastrnak: “I maybe didn’t get enough shots. I should maybe have a little bit more of a shooting mentality. Usually, that always helps me.”
Toronto was without Auston Matthews for the second straight game after the star center was pulled from Game 4 because of an illness.
Nylander opened the scoring with 54.8 seconds left in the second period. The Swedish winger took a pass from Timothy Liljegren in the offensive zone before weaving away from his check and firing a shot that glanced off Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy in front and beat Swayman on the short-side.
The goal set off wild celebrations inside an electric Scotiabank Arena — and outside the rink as Maple Leaf Square turned into a mosh pit of blue and white.
Toronto made it 2-0 with 2:13 left in the game when Nylander moved in alone after taking a pass from Matthew Knies and slid a backhander between Swayman’s pads.
“They’re obviously very desperate, fighting for their lives,” Marchand said. “So that’s always the toughest game to get. We know that. But I thought tonight was better than last game. ... If someone told us at the start of the season that we’d be Game 7 at home against Toronto, we’d take that all day.”
Woll is the first goalie in NHL history to have each of his first four career playoff starts come in elimination games. Thatcher Demko (2020), Michael Hutchinson (2020) and Manny Fernandez (2003) are the only other netminders to have their first three starts come in win-or-go home contests.
AP NHL playoffs: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL
Toronto Maple Leafs' William Nylander (88) celebrates after his goal against the Boston Bruins during third-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll (60) makes a save as Boston Bruins' Brad Marchand (63) and Charlie Coyle (13) look for a rebound during third-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' goaltender Joseph Woll (60) makes a save against Boston Bruins' Charlie Coyle (13) as Maple Leafs' Max Domi (11) defends and Bruins' Brad Marchand (63) and Maple Leafs' Morgan Rielly (44) look on during the third-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Boston Bruins' Morgan Geekie (39) falls as he battles for the puck with Toronto Maple Leafs' John Tavares (91) as Maple Leafs' Jake McCabe (22) and Bruins' Brad Marchand (63) look on during the third period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto on Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' William Nylander (88) scores against Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) during third-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' Jake McCabe (22) checks Boston Bruins' Jesper Boqvist (70) during the first period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto on Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
The puck sails wide of the net as Boston Bruins' Pavel Zacha (18) screens Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll (60) during first-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' Jake McCabe, left, is stopped by Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) during second-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll (60) trips Boston Bruins' John Beecher, left, as Maple Leafs' Ilya Lyubushkin (46) defends during second-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll (60) makes a save as Boston Bruins' Jake DeBrusk (74) and Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies (23) battle during second-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies, left, celebrates after a goal as Boston Bruins' Jesper Boqvist (70) skates by during second-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll (60) stops Boston Bruins' Brad Marchand (63) during the first period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto on Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs players, back left, celebrate after William Nylander's goal as Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman, right, looks on during second-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' William Nylander (88) celebrates after his goal against the Boston Bruins with John Tavares (91) and Timothy Liljegren (37) during second-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' John Tavares (91) celebrates after a goal against Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) during second-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' William Nylander (88) celebrates after his goal against the Boston Bruins with Joel Edmundson (20) during third-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' goaltender Joseph Woll (60) makes as save as Boston Bruins' Brad Marchand (63) and Charlie Coyle (13) look for a rebound during third-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' William Nylander (88) celebrates after his goal against the Boston Bruins with Joel Edmundson (20) during third-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' John Tavares (91) and Matthew Knies (23) celebrate after a goal against Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman, top right, as Bruins' Jesper Boqvist (70) looks on during second-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' William Nylander (88) scores against Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) during third-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' William Nylander (88) celebrates after his goal against the Boston Bruins with Morgan Rielly (44), Matthew Knies (23) and Joel Edmundson (20) during third-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' William Nylander (88) celebrates after his goal against the Boston Bruins during third-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
