LOS ANGELES – Curtis Granderson and Kevin Plawecki both homered for New York and the Mets handed the Dodgers their ninth loss at home, 4-2, in a rematch of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on Monday night.
Granderson sent the first pitch of the game – a 92MPH fastball – into the seats in right-center as the Mets had an early 1-0 lead before fans could even find their seats.
An inning later, it was Plawecki who homered for New York off Dodgers' starter Scott Kazmir as the Mets added to their Major League lead in home runs this season with 49.
"At first I was thinking 'you gotta be kidding me?" Kazmir said of Granderson's homer on the first pitch. "I honestly didn't think he got enough wood on it, but after that I had to concentrate on not letting it get out of hand."
Kazmir (2-3), a one-time Mets prospect, was tagged with the loss as he allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits with four walks and six strikeouts.
"It definitely hasn't gone the way I wanted it," Kazmir added about his start to the season. "I feel like I'm really close to getting where I want to be."
Kazmir was drafted by New York with the 15th overall pick in 2002 and spent three years in the Mets minor league system before being traded to Tampa Bay in 2004.
Steven Matz won his fifth consecutive start for the Mets, allowing just two runs, on six hits with five strikeouts. Matz (5-1) also helped out his own cause at the plate with an RBI double off Kazmir in the sixth inning.
The Mets scored a run in each of the first three innings before Trayce Thompson teed off against Matz in the bottom of the fourth. Thompson sent a sinker into the right field corner for his third four-bagger of the season.
Local
Get Los Angeles's latest local news on crime, entertainment, weather, schools, COVID, cost of living and more. Here's your go-to source for today's LA news.
"They were mainly trying to stay away with me the whole night," Thompson said. "So on my second at-bat I trusted myself, put a good swing on it, and fortunately, it got out."
Before the game, country music star, Keith Urban, mistakenly called Trayce, "Tracey" during pregame introductions. After his impressive performance at the plate, perhaps he should be called "Tracey" more often.
Howie Kendrick committed an error, when he misplayed a ground ball with two outs in the sixth, the error was costly as it allowed the Mets to tack on an insurance run.
Jeurys Familia worked a perfect ninth for his 11th save of the season, tied with Kenley Jansen for the most in the majors.
LA has now lost seven of their last eight games at home and are a paltry, 5-9, on the season at Dodger Stadium.
"We're all a little surprised by it [their home record] because we look forward to coming home and we love playing here," Dodgers' manager Dave Roberts said. "To not win baseball games here is a little frustrating. It will all even out."
Players of the Game:
Trayce Thompson: Two-run home run.
Curtis Granderson: 2-for-4 with a home run.
Kevin Plawecki: Solo home run.
Three Takeaways:
1. One Pitch Wonder: The Dodgers NLDS rematch with the Mets got off on the wrong foot as New York leadoff hitter, Curtis Granderson, sent the first pitch he saw – a 92MPH fastball – into the seats in right center field.
It only took Curtis Granderson one pitch to go DEEP off the Dodgers.https://t.co/JCiNcFJFTx — 120 Sports (@120Sports) May 10, 2016
2. Splash Brothers: On a night where his older brother, Klay, scored 23 points in Golden State's 132-125 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 4 of their second round NBA Playoff series, Trayce Thompson teed off against Mets' left-hander Steven Matz.
Trayce Thompson 2-run homer. Steven Matz's scoreless streak snapped at 16 2/3 innings. #Mets 3, #Dodgers 2, bot 4 (corrected) — Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinESPN) May 10, 2016
3. Nothing to Write Home About: The Dodgers are now 5-9 at home, the fifth worst mark in the Major Leagues.
The #Dodgers move closer to the No. 1 spot in the #NLWest. Will play 9-games at home starting with the N.Y. Mets pic.twitter.com/X2nWapkDhJ — Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) May 8, 2016
Up Next:
Mets (20-11): Dodgers' kryptonite Jacob deGrom is on the mound on Tuesday in his first game back at Chavez Ravine since the deciding Game 5 of the 2015 NLDS.
Dodgers (16-16): Alex Wood returns to the mound on Tuesday after a rough outing in Tampa Bay last week as first pitch is scheduled for 7:10PM PST.
Please refresh this page for more updates, stats and player reactions…
