The Mets rolled over the Dodgers 13-7 in their first ever playoff game at Citi Field.
After giving up three runs in the top of the second inning, New York responded with four runs in the bottom of the second, two runs in the bottom of the third and four runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a 10-3 lead after four innings.
The Amazins led off the bottom of the second inning with singles by Yoenis Cespedes and Lucas Duda. Travis d’Arnaud followed with a single that scored Cespedes with the first run.
The Mets’ Wilmer Flores followed with an infield single to load the bases with nobody out. After a force out at home and a strikeout, Curtis Granderson hit a double off the wall that cleared the bases and put the Mets in front 4-3.
And that was just the beginning of the party.
D’Arnaud came through again in the bottom of the third inning, hitting a two-run home run to left field with two outs to put the Mets up 6-3.
New York tacked on four more two-out runs in the bottom of the fourth. A Daniel Murphy single scored Juan Lagares and made it 7-3. Cespedes followed with a three-run homer into the second deck in left to make it 10-3.
The Dodgers got a run back in the top of the seventh, but the Mets finished off their outburst with three runs in the bottom half. After loading the bases with nobody out, Michael Conforto made it 11-4 with a sac fly, and Granderson drove in two more with another double to make it 13-4.
Mets starter Matt Harvey got the win. He gave up three runs, all in the top of the second inning. The Dodgers led off that inning with three straight singles, and the next batter, Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal, drove in two runs with a fourth straight single. On the play, a throw by Granderson got away from third baseman David Wright, allowing a third runner to score.
Overall, Harvey pitched five innings. Two of the three runs he allowed were earned. He gave up seven hits, walked two and struck out seven.
The Dodgers’ run in the seventh came on an Adrian Gonzalez home run. They tacked on three more in the ninth on a home run by Howie Kendrick for the final 13-7 margin.
The losing pitcher for LA was starter Brett Anderson. He allowed six runs – all earned – on seven hits over three innings of work. He did not allow a walk and struck out three.
Alex Wood, who relieved Anderson, did not fare much better. He allowed four runs – all earned – on four hits, walked two and struck out four in his two innings of work.
Monday night’s game was the first postseason game in the history of Citi Field, which opened in 2009.
The Mets will try to clinch the series Tuesday night in Game 4 at Citi Field. Steven Matz will make his postseason debut for the Mets. The Dodgers will counter with their ace, Clayton Kershaw, who took the loss in Game 1. First pitch is scheduled for 8 p.m.