The Dodgers’ Max Muncy #13 slides into home to score as Mets catcher Wilson Ramos #40 applies the tag in the bottom of the third inning during their MLB game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Wednesday, May 29, 2019. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodger starting pitcher Walker Buehler #21 during their MLB game against the Mets at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Wednesday, May 29, 2019. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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Dodger starting pitcher Walker Buehler #21 during their MLB game against the Mets at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Wednesday, May 29, 2019. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Matt Beaty #45 is covered in beer and food after he went into the seats chasing a foul ball during their MLB game against the Mets at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Wednesday, May 29, 2019. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodger pitcher Walker Buehler #21 walks around the mound as the Mets’ Pete Alonso #20 heads for home plate after hitting a two run homer in the first inning during their MLB game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Wednesday, May 29, 2019. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers catcher Will Smith #16 watches as the Mets’ Pete Alonso #20 crosses crosses home plate after hitting a home run in the first inning during their MLB game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Wednesday, May 29, 2019. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Mets’ Pete Alonso #20 is congratulated by Michael Conforto #30 after Alonso hit a two run homer in the top of the first inning during their MLB game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Wednesday, May 29, 2019. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Justin Turner #10 fields a ground ball during their MLB game against the Mets at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Wednesday, May 29, 2019. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Justin Turner #10 throws to first base during their MLB game against the Mets at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Wednesday, May 29, 2019. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Mets starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard #34 during their MLB game against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Wednesday, May 29, 2019. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodger starting pitcher Walker Buehler #21 during their MLB game against the Mets at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Wednesday, May 29, 2019. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Mets’ Todd Frazier #21 slides into home to score as Dodger catcher Will Smith #16 waits for the throw during their MLB game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Wednesday, May 29, 2019. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Mets’ Michael Conforto #30 goes to the wall on a Dodgers’ Matt Beaty #45 double in the bottom of the second inning during their MLB game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Wednesday, May 29, 2019. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Matt Beaty #45 slides into second base for a double as the Mets’ Amed Rosario #1 stops the throw in the bottom of the second inning during their MLB game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Wednesday, May 29, 2019. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Max Muncy #13 slides into home to score as Mets catcher Wilson Ramos #40 applies the tag in the bottom of the third inning during their MLB game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Wednesday, May 29, 2019. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 29: Corey Seager #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after flying out with a runner on base in the third inning against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium on May 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
New York Mets’ Pete Alonso, left, celebrates with Dominic Smith after Alonso’s two-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 29, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler throws to a New York Mets batter during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 29, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New York Mets starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard watches a throw to a Los Angeles Dodgers batter during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 29, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler throws to a New York Mets batter during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 29, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New York Mets starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard throws to a Los Angeles Dodgers batter during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 29, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New York Mets’ Pete Alonso (20) celebrates his two-run home run with teammates during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday, May 29, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Matt Beaty leaps into the stands chasing a foul ball from New York Mets’ Amed Rosario during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 29, 2019, in Los Angeles. Beaty did not make a catch on the play. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New York Mets starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard throws to a Los Angeles Dodgers batter during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 29, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Matt Beaty (45) slides into second base with an RBI double next to New York Mets shortstop Amed Rosario during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 29, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Alex Verdugo, left, points to the team’s dugout after driving in a run with a double, next to New York Mets second baseman Adeiny Hechavarria during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 29, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New York Mets third baseman Todd Frazier, left, talks to starting pitcher Noah Syndergaardduring the second inning of the team’s baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday, May 29, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New York Mets’ Pete Alonso hits a two-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fifth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 29, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New York Mets’ Pete Alonso (20) is congratulated in the dugout after his two-run home run during the fifth inning of the team’s baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday, May 29, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New York Mets’ Pete Alonso, right, celebrates his two-run home run with Dominic Smith during the fifth inning of the team’s baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday, May 29, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New York Mets’ Pete Alonso (20) celebrates his two-run home run with Dominic Smith (22) and Michael Conforto (30) during the fifth inning of the team’s baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday, May 29, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New York Mets’ Dominic Smith (22) celebrates his solo home run with Amed Rosario (1) during the seventh inning of the team’s baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday, May 29, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Julio Urias throws to a New York Mets batter during the seventh inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 29, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
The Dodgers’ Joc Pederson, right, celebrates with third base coach Dino Ebel as he rounds third base after hitting a solo home run to lead off the Dodgers’ four-run ninth-inning rally in their 9-8 victory over the Mets on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. Pederson homered on the ninth pitch of his at-bat against Edwin Diaz, who was pitching for the fourth time in five days. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger raises his arms in celebration after driving in a run with a double against the New York Mets during the ninth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 29, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
The Dodgers’ Alex Verdugo #27 hits a bottom of the ninth walk off sacrifice fly to beat the Mets during their MLB game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Wednesday, May 29, 2019. The Dodgers beat the Mets 9-8. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Alex Verdugo (27) watches as teammate Cody Bellinger, background left, scores the game-winning run on a sacrifice fly ball by Verdugo during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Wednesday, May 29, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
The Dodgers’ Alex Verdugo #27is mobbed by teammates after he hit a bottom of the ninth walk off sacrifice fly to beat the Mets during their MLB game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Wednesday, May 29, 2019. The Dodgers beat the Mets 9-8. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Alex Verdugo (27) is mobbed by teammates after his sacrifice fly capped their four-run ninth-inning rally in a 9-8 victory over the Mets on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Joc Pederson #31 douses Alex Verdugo #27 after Verdugo hit a bottom of the ninth walk off sacrifice fly to beat the Mets during their MLB game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Wednesday, May 29, 2019. The Dodgers beat the Mets 9-8. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Justin Turner #10 covers Alex Verdugo #27 in powder after Verdugo hit a bottom of the ninth walk off sacrifice fly to beat the Mets during their MLB game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Wednesday, May 29, 2019. The Dodgers beat the Mets 9-8. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Justin Turner #10 covers Alex Verdugo #27 in powder after Verdugo hit a bottom of the ninth walk off sacrifice fly to beat the Mets during their MLB game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Wednesday, May 29, 2019. The Dodgers beat the Mets 9-8. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Actor Wayne Knight prepares to throw the ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets on Wednesday, May 29, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Actor Wayne Knight throws the ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets on Wednesday, May 29, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
LOS ANGELES — It was real. And it was spectacular.
On a night when the Dodgers recognized a sitcom that was already in syndication when most of their starting lineup was starting grade school, the Dodgers scored four runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to come from behind and walk off with a 9-8 victory over the New York Mets on Wednesday night.
All four runs came off Mets closer Edwin Diaz who had converted his previous 35 save opportunities (with the Mariners and Mets), allowing a total of four runs in those 35 games. But the Dodgers have now hung a total of five losses on three of the best relievers in the National League – Josh Hader, Kirby Yates and Diaz.
“I don’t know, man,” Cody Bellinger said when asked how the Dodgers have done that. “I mean – we’re good.”
Alex Verdugo arrived at a similar conclusion when he was asked how the Dodgers were able to come back from a five-run deficit (8-3 in the seventh inning).
“It just says, really – we’re nasty,” Verdugo said in the on-field interview, basking in the immediate afterglow of driving in the winning run and perhaps giddy on the combined fumes of a Gatorade bath and talcum powder drenching.
“The boys can hit.”
The Dodgers were one inning away from back-to-back losses to Jerry Seinfeld’s favorite team, which would have been their first back-to-back losses since they also lost two in a row in Chicago April 23-24.
But Joc Pederson led off the ninth with a nine-pitch at-bat against Diaz, who was pitching for the fourth time in five days, the seventh time in the past 10. After falling behind 0-and-2, Pederson fouled off three pitches on the way to a full count then drove a slider over the wall in right-center field.
Max Muncy made it back-to-back home runs and a one-run game.
“Down three against Diaz is never easy obviously,” Bellinger said. “Once Joc hit it, we’re, ‘Alright, let’s just get guys on base now.’ Then Muncy hit one. And JT was in front of me so I was, ‘Aw, I’m going to have to hit with a guy on base probably because he’s good in these situations.’ I don’t know. We were just going up and down the lineup.”
Justin Turner and Bellinger followed the back-to-back homers with back-to-back doubles to tie the score. After an intentional walk, Matt Beaty hit a soft grounder over the mound. Mets shortstop Amed Rosario fielded it near second base but couldn’t decide what to do with it. Everyone was safe, loading the bases for Verdugo.
Like Pederson, he quickly fell behind 0-and-2.
“First two pitches, I was swinging. I was going for it,” Verdugo said. “I went for it on the slider and was probably three feet from it. … So after that, I was like, that’s not me. Let’s tone it down.”
His sacrifice fly drove in the winning run.
“That was a good one,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Our offense, those guys – they’re relentless. They’re relentless.”
They had to be on a night when Walker Buehler was not at his best and the bullpen continued to spiral.
Buehler gave up a pair of two-run home runs to rookie Pete Alonso and five runs in five innings. That was the most he had allowed since April 11 in St. Louis (also the last time he failed to pitch past the fifth inning) and the most any Dodgers starter had given up since Rich Hill was also touched for five runs (only one earned) on April 28.
The Mets hit two more home runs, back-to-back in the seventh inning when Julio Urias made his first appearance at Dodger Stadium since being reinstated following his arrest on suspicion of domestic battery.
Those homers were part of the Dodgers bullpen’s latest poor performance, a three-run surrender that put the Dodgers down 8-3 at the seventh-inning stretch. It was the eighth time in the past nine games that Dodgers relievers have allowed a run (or more). In that stretch, the bullpen has allowed 26 runs in 26 2/3 innings.
But a double by Pederson and a two-out RBI single by Turner produced a run in the seventh and convinced Roberts the game was salvageable.
“You never want to concede,” Roberts said. “But at that time if he makes an out, I was going to take him out of the game and get him off his feet. But he gets the base hit there and once he did that and we’re in slam range, I just felt we’ve got to take our chances.”
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