Sometimes the most remarkable plays in sports are the ones that do not go according to plan. In a game between the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers, pinch-hitter Luis Guillorme experienced this firsthand. After failing to execute a bunt successfully, Guillorme went on to double home the winning run in the 10th inning, leading the Mets to a 2-1 victory.
With a slight grin, Guillorme acknowledged that the bunt did not work as intended. However, his subsequent hit that drove in the winning run made up for the initial unsuccessful attempt.
Max Scherzer, the Mets' starting pitcher, delivered an outstanding performance by limiting the NL West-leading Dodgers to just one hit over seven shutout innings. Scherzer's dominant outing was pivotal in snapping the Dodgers' six-game winning streak. Additionally, Brandon Nimmo contributed an RBI groundout, helping the Mets end their four-game losing streak and secure their first victory since the All-Star break.
Mets manager Buck Showalter praised the quality innings provided by their starting pitchers, with Max Scherzer being the standout player in the game.
Relief pitcher David Robertson returned triumphantly to the mound after a break since July 7. He pitched two scoreless innings and stranded a runner at third base in the 10th inning, aided by a great defensive play from shortstop Francisco Lindor.
On the Dodgers' side, Nick Robertson suffered the loss on his 25th birthday.
In the bottom of the 10th inning, with Brett Baty as the automatic runner on second base, Luis Guillorme stepped up to bat. Initially tasked with bunting, Guillorme fouled off two attempts to advance the runner. Surprisingly, the Dodgers chose to keep their corner infielders close to the plate despite an 0-2 count. Taking advantage of this defensive positioning, Guillorme hit a ground ball just inside first base, eluding the outstretched glove of Freddie Freeman. The ball rolled into the outfield, allowing the winning run to score.
Guillorme expressed his surprise that Freeman did not make the play since he is known for his exceptional defensive skills. Guillorme was thrilled to see the ball get through and secure the game-winning hit.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged that Guillorme was sent up to bunt but fell behind in the count. Despite the defensive alignment, Roberts believed that Guillorme's hit would likely have succeeded.
Earlier in the day, the game experienced multiple delays due to stormy weather, with the first pitch being delayed an additional 20 minutes due to rain. Once the game finally started, Max Scherzer, aged 38, delivered a vintage performance against his former team. He allowed only one hit, a second-inning single by Jason Heyward, and completed seven innings with no runs. Scherzer walked three and struck out six on 97 pitches.
Scherzer acknowledged that in the early innings, he struggled with hanging sliders but managed to overcome it. He mentioned working hard to rectify the issue.
Dodgers rookie pitcher Bobby Miller matched Scherzer's scoreless performance until running into trouble in the fifth inning. After Starling Marte's leadoff single and stolen base, Miller hit Mark Canha with a pitch and walked Omar Narváez, loading the bases. Brandon Nimmo hit a comebacker that popped out of Miller's glove, but the pitcher recovered to get Nimmo at first base. However, he could not attempt a double play, allowing Marte to score the game's first run.
Mookie Betts tied the game for the Dodgers in the eighth inning with a run-scoring single off Trevor Gott—this extended Betts' streak of consecutive games with an RBI to five. Relief pitcher Brooks Raley navigated through a challenging situation to keep the game tied.
The game also featured an impressive defensive play by Dodgers center fielder James Outman. Outman leaped to make a catch in the third inning, robbing Nimmo of extra bases. Nimmo hit a 99 mph fastball to the deepest part of Citi Field, and Outman timed his jump perfectly, catching the ball while falling backward into the wall. The exceptional play drew acknowledgment from Miller and other teammates, with several Dodgers tipping their caps in appreciation from the dugout.
The Mets' victory improved their record to 6-1 in extra-inning games this season, the best in Major League Baseball. They also boast an impressive 16-3 record in extra-inning games since 2022.
Comments / 0