The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets squared off for the first time since the 2015 National League Division Series. Monday’s opener in a four-game set kicked off a nine-game homestand for the Dodgers, who returned to Chavez Ravine after going 3-2 on their road trip.
Scott Kazmir’s penchant to make mistakes that result in home runs quickly reared its head as Curtis Granderson deposited Kazmir’s first offering into the right field pavilion for a leadoff home run in the first inning.
It was Granderson’s second leadoff home run this season, and 37th leadoff homer of his career. Kazmir retired the next two batters faced, then struck out Lucas Duda to end the inning after walking Yoenis Cespedes.
Steven Matz gave up a one-out single to Howie Kendrick, who then moved into scoring position by stealing second base. An Adrian Gonzalez grounder to the right side advanced Kendrick to third base, where he was stranded as Justin Turner grounded out.
Yasiel Puig robbed Juan Lagares of a likely extra-base hit by laying out for a diving catch in right field. However, with two outs, Kevin Plawecki hit the Mets’ second solo home run in as many innings.
Matz sailed through the bottom of the second, retiring the Dodgers in order on an efficient 11 pitches. Granderson led off the third inning with a base hit to left field, but was thrown out by Kiké Hernandez on his attempt to stretch it to a double.
Kazmir’s next pitch hit Asdrubal Cabrera, who had some words for his former teammate before running toward first base. David Wright drew a walk, then Cespedes added to the lead with a RBI single.
Duda drew a walk to load the bases, but the inning quickly came to an end as Hernandez made a catch on the run in shallow left field, then threw to second base to double up Cespedes.
CONTINUE READING: Chase Utley makes anticlimactic pinch-hit appearance
