Alonso and Mets extend season again, beating Dodgers 12-6 to send NLCS back to LA for Game 6

NEW YORK (AP) — Not easy to knock out these New York Mets.

Pete Alonso golfed an early three-run homer and the Mets hammered an ineffective Jack Flaherty, extending the National League Championship Series with a 12-6 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 on Friday.

“We understood that this is a do-or-die game and we have to give everything we had, and that’s what we did,” shortstop Francisco Lindor said.

Starling Marte had three doubles, four hits and three RBIs for New York. Francisco Alvarez broke out of a slump with three hits — including an RBI single in a five-run third inning.

Jesse Winker laced an RBI triple and so did Lindor, feeling good vibes after The Temptations performed his cheery walk-up song, "My Girl,” on the field before the game.

“We showed up today. We needed that,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “Obviously, Pete setting the tone in the first inning was important. We just continued to add on.”

Blown out in three of the first four games, including the past two nights at home, the wild-card Mets turned the tables and saved their thrilling season for the second time in these playoffs — both with the help of a three-run shot by Alonso. They trimmed their series deficit to 3-2 and sent the best-of-seven NLCS back to Los Angeles for Game 6 on Sunday.

“After yesterday’s game, we just had a collective conversation where it was like, hey, this is it,” Alonso said. “This is who we are. This is the situation we’re in and let’s keep continuing to lay it all out there.”

Sean Manaea is lined up to start Sunday for New York on five days' rest, while the Dodgers will go with another bullpen game because of a thin rotation decimated by injuries.

“We come from a lot of adversity,” Mets closer Edwin Díaz said. “We can beat them.”

With an opportunity to pitch his hometown team into the World Series, an ailing Flaherty flopped. After throwing seven shutout innings of two-hit ball in a Game 1 win, he fell behind 3-0 four batters in when Alonso launched a low slider 432 feet to center field for his fourth homer this postseason.

“He wasn’t sharp, clearly. He’s been fighting something. He’s been under the weather a little bit,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said about Flaherty. “So I don’t know if that bled into the stuff, the velocity. I’m not sure.”

Alonso, poised to become a prized free agent this fall, also hit a go-ahead shot with the Mets facing elimination in Game 3 of their Wild Card Series at Milwaukee. That one was more dramatic, coming with New York trailing 2-0 and down to its final two outs in the ninth.

But once again, Alonso went deep to help prolong his tenure with a Mets team that drafted him in 2016. The ball was just more than a foot above the ground when he connected, the second-lowest pitch Alonso has homered on in his career.

“For the rest of us mortals, we fly out. But for him, it’s just an absolute bomb. Just normal Pete,” teammate Brandon Nimmo said.

The big slugger also scored four runs and fought back from an 0-2 count to draw a leadoff walk in the third, when the Mets batted around and opened an 8-1 cushion.

“He got us going,” Mendoza said. “I thought that Pete did a really good job controlling the strike zone today.”

Aware it could be the last home game for Alonso at Citi Field, the sellout crowd of 43,841 chanted his name when he batted in the eighth.

“It's so special. It’s like storybook-type stuff,” Alonso said. “When you grow up as a kid, you dream about that type of stuff.”

Flaherty allowed eight runs and eight hits in three innings. He failed to strike out a batter for the first time since a September 2022 game with St. Louis against Pittsburgh.

After striking out 12 times Thursday night, the Mets did not whiff once. They became the first team to do that in the postseason since the Angels in Game 2 of the 2002 World Series against San Francisco.

“We didn’t chase his secondary pitches,” Mendoza said, referring to Flaherty. “We know he’s got that slider and the knuckle-curve, and he’s going to try to make us chase and we didn’t do that today. And when he came in the zone with his fastball, we were ready. And that’s the key.”

New York starter David Peterson pitched out of serious trouble in the first — aided by a baserunning mistake from Shohei Ohtani — but was unable to make it through the fourth despite being given a seven-run lead. Reed Garrett entered with the bases loaded and threw a called third strike past Freddie Freeman on a full-count sweeper to end the inning.

Dodgers rookie Andy Pages homered twice and drove in four runs. Mookie Betts went deep for the second consecutive game, helping Los Angeles cut an eight-run deficit to 10-6.

“It was good to see our guys fight back,” Roberts said. “Certainly, offensively we’re in a really good spot.”

But then Ryne Stanek and Díaz settled things down as the Mets put this one away. Stanek worked a career-high 2 1/3 innings for the victory, and Díaz got six outs without permitting a run.

“I’m just so happy because this group is so special,” Alonso said. “And I’m happy that we get to live to fight another day and play another game of baseball together.”

To rally and take the NL pennant, though, the Mets need two more wins in LA.

“It’s definitely possible,” Nimmo said. “We’ve played with our backs against the wall the whole year and we’ve been able to rise to the occasion and some might even say we’re at our best at that time. So if anybody can do it, we can do it.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Dodgers: Freeman went 0 for 5 with two strikeouts in the cleanup spot, returning to the lineup after sitting out Thursday with a badly sprained right ankle that's caused him to miss two games this postseason. Roberts indicated the All-Star first baseman might not start in Game 6 against Manaea, a nasty left-hander.

“I’m going to have a conversation with him tomorrow," Roberts said. "But I do think that his swing is not right. I’m certain it’s the ankle. We’ll have that conversation, but it’s certainly an option to not have him in there for Game 6.”

Mets: Jeff McNeil had two sacrifice flies in his first playoff start, replacing slumping Jose Iglesias at second base. McNeil was added to the roster for the NLCS — he had been sidelined since Sept. 6 by a broken right wrist — and was hitless in three pinch-hitting appearances before Friday.

UP NEXT

Manaea (12-6, 3.47 ERA) is 2-0 with 2.65 ERA in three playoff starts, including a Game 2 victory at Dodger Stadium.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

The Temptations perform before Game 5 of a baseball NL Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

The Temptations perform before Game 5 of a baseball NL Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in New York.(AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

The Temptations perform before Game 5 of a baseball NL Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Mets' Pete Alonso celebrates a three-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning in Game 5 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Mets' Francisco Lindor celebrates a single against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning in Game 5 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Jack Flaherty throws against the New York Mets during the first inning in Game 5 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

New York Mets' Francisco Alvarez hits a RBI-single against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the third inning in Game 5 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Mets' Jesse Winker watches his single against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the eighth inning in Game 5 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

The New York Mets celebrates their win against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Mets pitcher Edwin Díaz and catcher Francisco Alvarez celebrates their win against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

New York Mets' Starling Marte celebrates after a double against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the sixth inning in Game 5 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

New York Mets' Starling Marte hits a two-run double against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the third inning in Game 5 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Mets' Pete Alonso celebrates a three-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning in Game 5 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Mets' Pete Alonso hits a three-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning in Game 5 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Mets' Pete Alonso celebrates a three-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning in Game 5 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Mets' Pete Alonso celebrates a three-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning in Game 5 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

New York Mets' Pete Alonso hits a three-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning in Game 5 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — With their season on the line, the Minnesota Lynx did just enough to stave off elimination and force a decisive Game 5 of the WNBA Finals.

Bridget Carleton made two free throws with 2 seconds left, and the Lynx beat the New York Liberty 82-80 on Friday night. The teams will meet Sunday night in New York in the first Game 5 of the Finals since 2019, when Washington topped Connecticut.

“Last 40 minutes of the season could be anywhere, we’re going to be out there going to war and I’m pumped,” said Kayla McBride, who led the Lynx with 19 points.

Courtney Williams added 15 points for Minnesota, which forced Liberty stars Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu into poor shooting nights. Ionescu's heave at the buzzer didn't hit the rim.

“I think we’re excited,” Napheesa Collier said. “It’s a Game 5 of the Finals. We have to go out and execute.”

Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve is no stranger to winner-take-all games. She coached Minnesota in three straight from 2015-17, winning two.

“I don’t think about the other ones,” Reeve said. “I feel very blessed in my career to have a chance to been a part of so many. I haven’t won them all. ... What I’m thrilled about is that this group gets to experience the Game 5.”

Unlike the first three games of the series, when one of the teams built a double-digit lead, this one was tight throughout. There were 14 lead changes and 13 ties, and neither team led by more than six.

“It’s a close-out game. Their backs are against the wall and we are trying to win,” said Jonquel Jones, who led New York with 21 points. “It was going to be that type of game tonight where we are both trying to claw and both teams are trying to figure out whatever to do to get over the hump.”

With the game tied at 80-all with 18 seconds left, Williams dribbled to run the clock down and missed a jumper with a few seconds left. Carleton got the rebound in the lane and was fouled by Ionescu.

“She got the shot off and missed it perfectly for me,” Carleton said. “We talked about it after. She wanted to get it high and off the rim.”

The 27-year-old Canadian calmly made both free throws, and Ionescu was unable to duplicate her heroics in Game 3, when she made a 28-footer with 1 second left to give the Liberty a 2-1 series lead.

“I was pretty confident. I’m a confident free-throw shooter,” Carleton said.

Leonie Fiebich added 19 for New York. Stewart, who scored 30 points in Game 3, had 11 points on 5-of-20 shooting, and Ionescu was 5 of 16 from the floor and scored 10.

Minnesota stands one victory away from a record fifth WNBA title, which would break a tie with the Houston Comets and Seattle Storm. The Liberty are looking for their first title and have lost in the Finals five times. The team was one of the original eight franchises when the league began in 1997 and is the only one left of that group not to have won it all.

New York lost to Las Vegas in last season's Finals. Friday night marked the one-year anniversary of the Game 4 clincher last season for the Aces.

The Lynx reached the Finals for the first time since 2017, when they won the last of four championships in seven years.

Minnesota built a 77-72 lead with 3:14 left on Carleton's 3-pointer before New York scored eight of the next 11 points, including a three-point play by Jones with 1:10 left that tied it at 80.

Both teams had chances before Carleton’s free throws. McBride missed a layup with 56 seconds left, but the Lynx forced a shot-clock violation on the other end when Stewart’s shot in the lane missed with 18 seconds left.

“We wanted to get it done tonight. But like (coach) Sandy (Brondello) said, our fans are like no other, and to be able to go into our environment on Sunday, know they have our backs," Stewart said. “So whenever there are tough situations, whenever we’re fighting through all of this adversity, we know we have the crowd behind us. That’s just going to continue to motivate us. Yeah, can’t wait for Sunday.”

AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

Minnesota Lynx forward Bridget Carleton (6) reacts after missing a basket against the New York Liberty during the second half of Game 4 of a WNBA basketball final playoff series, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) shoots against Minnesota Lynx forward Cecilia Zandalasini (9) during the first half of Game 4 of a WNBA basketball final playoff series, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart drives to the basket against Minnesota Lynx forward Cecilia Zandalasini (9) during the first half of Game 4 of a WNBA basketball final playoff series, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

New York Liberty forward Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (44) shoots against the Minnesota Lynx during the first half of Game 4 of a WNBA basketball final playoff series, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart drives to the basket past Minnesota Lynx forward Bridget Carleton (6) during the first half of Game 4 of a WNBA basketball final playoff series, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) reacts after missing a basket against the Minnesota Lynx during the first half of Game 4 of a WNBA basketball final playoff series, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) drives to the basket abasing Minnesota Lynx forward Cecilia Zandalasini (9) during the first half of Game 4 of a WNBA basketball final playoff series, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

New York Liberty forward Leonie Fiebich (13) shoots against Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams (10) during the first half of Game 4 of a WNBA basketball final playoff series, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) drives to the basket towards Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams (10) during the first half of Game 4 of a WNBA basketball final playoff series, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) reacts in the final minute against the Minnesota Lynx during the second half of Game 4 of a WNBA basketball final playoff series, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in Minneapolis. The Lynx won 82-80, forcing a Game 5 in the series. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams (10) reaches in against New York Liberty forward Jonquel Jones during the first half of Game 4 of a WNBA basketball final playoff series, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams (10) celebrates with forward Napheesa Collier (24) after scoring a basket against the New York Liberty during the first half of Game 4 of a WNBA basketball final playoff series, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) moves the ball under pressure from New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart and forward Leonie Fiebich (13) during the second half of Game 4 of a WNBA basketball final playoff series, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) reacts after missing a shot at the buzzer, as Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams (10) celebrates during the second half of Game 4 of a WNBA basketball final playoff series, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in Minneapolis. The Lynx won 82-80, forcing a Game 5 in the series. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Lynx forward Bridget Carleton (6) reacts to a 3-point basket against the New York Liberty during the second half of Game 4 of a WNBA basketball final playoff series, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams (10) drives past New York Liberty forward Leonie Fiebich (13) during the second half in Game 3 of a WNBA basketball final playoff series, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu celebrates after Game 3 of a WNBA basketball final playoff series against the Minnesota Lynx, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in Minneapolis. The Liberty won 80-77. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu celebrates after making a 3-point basket at the end of Game 3 of a WNBA basketball final playoff series against the Minnesota Lynx, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in Minneapolis. The Liberty won 80-77. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)