Taylor, Semien Power Mets Past Dodgers 8-3 to Avoid Sweep
Edited by Casualplayhub News Editorial. Source: ABC30 Fresno Sports. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
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The New York Mets refused to let the Los Angeles Dodgers complete a season sweep. On Sunday afternoon at Citi Field, they stormed back from a two-run deficit with two explosive innings, powered by three-run homers from Tyrone Taylor and Marcus Semien, winning 8-3 and snapping a five-game home losing streak.
The Dodgers struck first. After Shohei Ohtani opened the game with a double — he finished 1-for-4 and is now hitting just .184 since the All-Star break while managing left knee irritation that keeps him off the mound — Freddie Freeman delivered an RBI double. Los Angeles added another run in the fourth, capitalizing on a New York error. By the fifth, starter Emmet Sheehan had held the Mets to one run — an RBI single by Francisco Lindor in the first inning after three straight hits — and the Dodgers led 3-1.
But the momentum shifted in the sixth. Reliever Jack Dreyer walked rookie Carson Benge and pinch-hitter Luis Robert Jr., setting the stage for Taylor. Facing Evan Phillips (0-2), Taylor drilled a 1-1 sinker into the left-field seats, putting the Mets ahead 4-3. It was Taylor’s eighth homer of the season and his fifth in 33 at-bats since returning from the injured list on June 28. The backup outfielder, eligible for free agency after the season, is widely expected to be traded before the Aug. 3 deadline as the last-place Mets (44-62) embark on a significant selloff.
Freddy Peralta, who started for New York, allowed three runs — two earned — and six hits over four innings. He also can become a free agent after the World Series and is likely to be moved within the next eight days. The Mets’ bullpen took over from there. Cionel Pérez (4-3) pitched two perfect innings for the win, striking out one and inducing weak contact. Luke Weaver faced a bases-loaded jam in the eighth but escaped by making an off-balance throw on Teoscar Hernández’s bouncer toward the third-base side of the mound.
New York extended its lead in the seventh. A.J. Ewing scored on a passed ball by Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing, then Semien launched a three-run homer to left off Will Klein. It was Semien’s second homer since returning from a strained left hip on July 16. The Mets won for just the fourth time in their last 16 games at Citi Field, but they avoided being swept in the season series for only the second time in franchise history, finishing 1-5 against the Dodgers.
Los Angeles, despite the loss, completed a successful 6-3 East Coast road trip against the Yankees, Phillies, and Mets. However, they struggled with runners in scoring position, going 2-for-13. The Dodgers have not announced a starter for Tuesday’s series opener against Seattle. The Mets, meanwhile, will send rookie left-hander Zac Thornton (1-1, 1.93 ERA) against Atlanta’s Martín Pérez (6-6, 3.38) on Monday night.
For the Mets, this victory provides a brief respite in a season defined by disappointment and impending roster changes. Taylor and Semien delivered the kind of power that could make them attractive trade chips. For the Dodgers, it’s a reminder that even the best teams can falter when their bats go quiet in key moments.
Article commentary
The Mets' win was a classic seller's showcase. Taylor and Semien, both likely to be traded in days, delivered clutch homers that will only increase their value. The Dodgers, meanwhile, continue to struggle with inconsistency from Ohtani, whose knee issue is clearly affecting his production. Los Angeles remains a powerhouse, but their inability to capitalize with runners in scoring position (2-for-13) is a concern. New York's bullpen, anchored by Pérez and Weaver, showed resilience, but the team's long-term direction is clear: rebuild. The game's narrative — a desperate team delaying the inevitable against a confident contender — underscores the contrasting trajectories of these two franchises.