Mets hold on for win over Dodgers to keep hot streak going

Starling Marte hit a go-ahead three-run home run in the sixth inning and the visiting New York Mets increased their winning streak to six games by holding on for a 6-4 victory Saturday afternoon over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Marte had two hits and drove in four runs as the Mets improved to 8-1 since April 11 and 12-3 since they opened the season with five consecutive defeats.

The New York bullpen did just enough as five relievers combined to give up two runs after starter Jose Butto gave up two runs on three hits and five walks in 4 1/3 innings. Michael Tonkin (1-2) earned the win and Reed Garrett recorded his first save.

Shohei Ohtani reached base four times for the Dodgers on a double and three walks, but Los Angeles' offensive slumber continued as they left the bases loaded to end four different innings. They left 13 total runners on base.

Los Angeles has now dropped three consecutive series and four of their last five overall.

The Mets took an early 1-0 lead when Brandon Nimmo opened the game with a four-pitch walk, stole second and scored on a ground-rule double from Francisco Lindor.

The Dodgers got even in the bottom of the first, getting a double from Mookie Betts, a walk from Ohtani and Freddie Freeman's RBI single to center field.

But the Dodgers left the bases loaded in the opening inning when Andy Pages struck out against Butto, and left them loaded again in the second when Teoscar Hernandez struck out.

The Mets moved in front 2-0 in the fourth inning on an RBI single from Marte, while the Dodgers tied it again 2-2 in the fifth on a sacrifice fly from Max Muncy.

Marte delivered the big blow in the sixth for a 6-3 lead after Zack Short walked and Nimmo was hit by a pitch from Ryan Yarbrough (2-1).

Again the Dodgers had the bases loaded in the sixth before Ohtani struck out against Drew Smith. Freeman's two-run single got the Dodgers within a run but with the bases loaded again Muncy grounded out to first base. Hernandez and Muncy both struck out with the bases loaded to end the eighth.

The Mets added a run in the eighth on Lindor's single to score Marte for a 6-4 advantage.