Mets Can’t Close Out Series; Dodgers Force Game 5

It is back to sunny Los Angeles for Game 5 of the NLDS after the Mets failed to clinch at home Tuesday night.

Just like Monday night, the Dodgers jumped out to an early 3-0 lead. With runners on first and third with two outs in the third, Adrian Gonzalez singled in one run and then Justin Turner doubled in two more.

But unlike Monday, the Mets could not answer back. Daniel Murphy hit his second home run of the series in the fourth to cut the lead to 3-1. But otherwise the Mets were clueless against Clayton Kershaw, who was masterful — seven innings, one run, three hits, eight strikeouts and a walk.

Meantime Steven Matz was not at his best. He lasted just five innings, allowing three runs in six hits. He struck out four and walked a pair.

Bartolo Colon fared better, pitching out of the bullpen for a third straight game. He threw two scoreless innings.

With Kershaw gone, the Mets finally got a runner into scoring position in the eighth when Curtis Granderson walked with two outs and stole second. Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen came in and he walked David Wright. But Murphy flied out to right to end the threat.

The Mets went quietly in the ninth and lose 3-1 as the Dodgers even the series at two games apiece. The deciding Game 5 will be played on Thursday. It’ll be Jacob deGrom vs. Zack Greinke.