Dodgers pitcher Jack Dreyer throws during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Sunday, July 26, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
New York Mets’ Tyrone Taylor reacts after hitting a three-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Dodgers, Sunday, July 26, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman, left, reacts after hitting an RBI double during the third inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Sunday, July 26, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Dodgers pitcher Emmet Sheehan (80) throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Sunday, July 26, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages drops a fly ball hit by New York Mets A.J. Ewing during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, July 26, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hits a double during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Sunday, July 26, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
New York Mets pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Sunday, July 26, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Dodgers left fielder Teoscar Hernández (37) fails to catch a three-run home run hit by New York Mets’ Marcus Semien during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Sunday, July 26, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
NEW YORK – Weary business travelers, the Dodgers couldn’t close one last deal.
Relievers Evan Phillips and Will Klein each surrendered a three-run home run as the New York Mets erased a Dodgers lead and handed them an 8-3 defeat Sunday afternoon.
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The home runs by Tyrone Taylor and Marcus Semien against the Dodgers bullpen kept the Dodgers from completing a season sweep of the only team in baseball with a higher payroll than theirs – $357.6 million to $322.4 million by one estimate.
The Dodgers had dominated the Mets through their first five meetings, outscoring them 22-8 and holding the Mets’ hitters to a .143 average.
It was Emmet Sheehan’s turn Sunday to freeze the Mets’ assets.
Sheehan didn’t start out well. He gave up hits to the first three Mets batters – a double and two singles – to push across a run. That was all Sheehan allowed.
He retired 15 of the 17 batters he faced after that. He walked two but didn’t allow another hit in his five innings, striking out five.
But Dodgers manager Dave Roberts pulled Sheehan after those five innings and 87 pitches, leaving four innings for the Dodgers’ bullpen to cover.
The Dodgers’ offense didn’t build enough of a lead thanks to a 2-for-13 afternoon with runners in scoring position.
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They did score twice in the third inning on doubles by Eliezer Alfonzo Jr. (the second of his career) and Freddie Freeman (the 574th of his), a walk and a run-scoring ground out. A Mets error led to an unearned run in the fourth. But 12 Dodgers went down in order after that. By the time the Dodgers had another baserunner (loading the bases but not scoring in the eighth), the Mets had pulled away.
Jack Dreyer was the first reliever called on to protect the Dodgers’ 3-1 lead. He walked two of the three batters he faced, setting the stage for Taylor’s three-run home run off Phillips to give the Mets the lead.
Phillips has pitched 6 ⅔ innings over seven appearances since returning from Tommy John surgery. He has given up four home runs in that time.
In the seventh inning, Klein combined the worst of both Dreyer and Phillips. He walked two batters and gave up an infield single. One run scored on a passed ball, then Klein gave up his three-run home run to Semien.
Like Phillips, Klein has had some issues recently. He has allowed 10 runs in his last five innings (though three were unearned).
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