MLB roundup: Home runs power Mets and Yankees to playoff wins

Mark Vientos delivered a grand slam, and Francisco Lindor also hit a home run, leading the New York Mets to a 7-3 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday. This win equalized their Major League Baseball playoff series at one game each.

Vientos' impressive four-run homer during a determined second inning helped the Mets recover from a significant 9-0 loss in the first game on Sunday, as part of the best-of-seven National League Championship Series.

The series winner will proceed to compete against either the New York Yankees or the Cleveland Guardians in the World Series.

The Yankees, propelled by home runs from Giancarlo Stanton and Juan Soto, along with six solid innings from starting pitcher Carlos Rodon, triumphed over the Guardians with a score of 5-2 in the opening game of their American League Championship Series.

The Mets made an immediate impact when Lindor opened the game with a 395-foot home run off Dodgers pitcher Ryan Brasier, breaking the Dodgers' pitching staff's remarkable streak of 33 consecutive scoreless innings.

The Dodgers had not allowed a run since the second inning of game three in their division series against the San Diego Padres.

In the second inning, Vientos faced Dodgers reliever Landon Knack and connected on the ninth pitch he saw—a 95 mph fastball—sending it soaring over the center field seats to extend the Mets' lead to 6-0.

Starling Marte began the inning with a single off Knack and later scored on Tyrone Taylor's double, placing runners at second and third. Lindor was intentionally walked to load the bases, setting the stage for Vientos.

Vientos expressed that he "took it personally" when the Dodgers chose to walk Lindor, bringing him to the plate.

"In a great position"
"At that moment, I was focused on simplifying the game—just getting one run in, or even a walk—anything to contribute to the score," he stated. "Fortunately, I hit a home run that cleared the fence."

The Mets are set to host the next three games on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

"I believe we are in an excellent position," Vientos remarked. "I appreciate the momentum we have gained."

Mets starting pitcher Sean Manaea permitted three runs, two of which were earned, on two hits across five innings, accompanied by four walks and seven strikeouts.

Max Muncy contributed a solo home run for Los Angeles in the fifth inning; however, the formidable Dodgers lineup was predominantly subdued. Japanese sensation Shohei Ohtani finished the game with no hits in three at-bats, striking out twice and drawing two walks.

In the sixth inning, the Dodgers scored two runs after Manaea issued walks to Mookie Betts and Teoscar Hernandez, followed by a misplay on a ground ball by Jose Iglesias that loaded the bases for Freddie Freeman.

Phil Manton replaced Manaea and allowed a single to Tommy Edman, which brought Betts and Hernandez home. The Mets managed to add another run in the top of the ninth inning.

In New York, Soto gave the Yankees an early lead with a solo home run to start the third inning.

Cleveland pitcher Alex Cobb walked three of the next five batters before being substituted by Joey Cantillo, who threw a couple of wild pitches against the subsequent Yankees batters, enabling Aaron Judge and Stanton to score, extending New York's lead to 3-0.

The Yankees increased their advantage to 4-0 in the fourth inning when Judge's sacrifice fly allowed Gleyber Torres to cross the plate.

Stanton's powerful home run in the seventh inning made the score 5-1, following a solo shot by Brayan Rocchio off Rodon in the sixth, one of two hits he allowed during six impressive innings that included nine strikeouts.

After Cleveland's Steven Kwan drove in a run with one out in the eighth, the Yankees called upon closing pitcher Luke Weaver, who secured the final five outs for the save.

The Yankees, with a storied history of 27 World Series titles, are pursuing their first World Series appearance since their victory over Philadelphia in 2009.

The Guardians aim for their first World Series appearance since 2016 and their first championship since 1948.

Yankee Stadium was graced by the presence of celebrities, including pop icon Taylor Swift and her NFL star partner Travis Kelce.