Dodgers Begin Grueling Stretch with Soggy Marathon Win Over Mets Despite Undermanned Pitching Staff
The Los Angeles Dodgers opened a demanding portion of their 2025 schedule with a gritty, rain-soaked victory over the New York Mets, overcoming both adverse weather conditions and a severely depleted pitching staff to earn a 7-5 extra-innings win Friday night at Citi Field. The game, which stretched into the early hours after multiple rain delays and 11 tense innings, showcased the resilience and depth of a Dodgers squad entering a stretch of 17 games in 17 days.
After two delays totaling over 90 minutes, the Dodgers and Mets resumed play under slick conditions, with both teams forced to adapt on the fly. The Dodgers, already reeling from injuries to key arms including Walker Buehler and Dustin May, turned to a bullpen game with emergency starter Michael Grove on the mound. Grove, pressed into service just hours before first pitch, gave the Dodgers three innings of two-run ball, keeping the game within reach.
Despite the limitations, the Dodgers’ patchwork pitching staff held firm through a long night. Six relievers combined to navigate eight grueling innings, including clutch outings from Yency Almonte and Alex Vesia, who stymied multiple Mets rallies with runners on base. Evan Phillips ultimately secured the win with a tense 11th-inning save, stranding the potential tying run at second.
Offensively, the Dodgers leaned on timely hitting and small-ball execution. Freddie Freeman led the charge with three hits, including a go-ahead RBI single in the top of the 11th. Mookie Betts also contributed with two runs scored and a pivotal double in the 8th inning that tied the game. The Dodgers’ depth came through again in extras, with backup catcher Austin Barnes driving in an insurance run on a perfectly executed squeeze bunt that surprised the Mets’ infield.
Manager Dave Roberts praised his team’s grit after the game, acknowledging the challenges ahead but expressing confidence in his squad. “We’re short-staffed, the conditions were tough, but we found a way to win,” Roberts said. “This is the kind of game that can set the tone for a long stretch. Everyone chipped in.”
The Mets, meanwhile, saw a strong start from José Quintana unravel late, as the bullpen faltered in the face of persistent pressure. The loss drops them further behind in the NL East race and marks a frustrating start to a crucial homestand.
The Dodgers’ ability to weather injuries and still compete at a high level speaks to the organization’s depth and adaptability. With rookies like Landon Knack and Kyle Hurt expected to see increased roles during this taxing stretch, L.A.’s front office will be closely monitoring workloads. The absence of regular rest days means the margin for error narrows significantly.
This marathon win wasn’t just about one game in May—it was a testament to the Dodgers’ identity. While the star power of Shohei Ohtani, Freeman, and Betts draws the headlines, it’s the unheralded contributors and late-inning heroics that continue to define this team’s success.
As the Dodgers now head into a three-city road trip with series against the Phillies, Pirates, and Reds, their stamina and strategic flexibility will be tested. But if Friday night is any indication, the Dodgers are ready to grind out victories—rain, injuries, and all.
With this win, L.A. improves to 31-17, maintaining its lead atop the NL West. And though the schedule offers little relief in the coming days, the message from the clubhouse is clear: the Dodgers aren’t just surviving—they’re still finding ways to thrive.
