Mark Vientos smashed a grand slam and Francisco Lindor homered as well as the New York Mets beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-3 on Monday to level their Major League Baseball playoff series at one game apiece.

Vientos's four-run home run in a determined second inning at-bat helped the Mets rebound from a 9-0 drubbing in game one on Sunday in the best-of-seven National League Championship Series.

Lindor led off the game with a 395-foot home run off Dodgers hurler Ryan Brasier, ending the Dodgers pitching staff's record-equalling streak of 33 scoreless innings.

Dodgers hurlers hadn't surrendered a run since the second inning of game three of their division series against the San Diego Padres.

One inning later, Vientos got the better of Dodgers reliever Landon Knack, fouling off five pitches before crushing the ninth pitch he saw – a 95 mph fastball – over the center field seats for a grand slam home run that pushed the Mets' lead to 6-0.

Starling Marte had opened the inning with a single off Knack and scored on Tyrone Taylor's double that left runners at second and third. Lindor was intentionally walked to load the bases and bring up Vientos.

The 24-year-old admitted he "took it personally" when the Dodgers walked Lindor to bring him to the plate but said he "wasn't trying to do too much."

The Mets will host games three and four on Wednesday and Friday.

"I think we're in a great spot," Vientos said. "I like the momentum we got. I like the energy we brought in this day game and we've got to keep it going.

Max Muncy hit a solo homer for Los Angeles in the fifth, but the Dodgers' vaunted lineup was largely silenced. Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani was 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and two walks.

The winner of the series will advance to the World Series against either the New York Yankees or Cleveland Guardians.

Meanwhile, the Yankees, fueled by home runs from Giancarlo Stanton and Juan Soto, beat the Guardians 5-2 to open their American League Championship Series.

Cleveland pitcher Alex Cobb walked three of the next five batters before he was replaced by Joey Cantillo, who threw a couple of wild pitches into the dirt against the next two Yankees batters, allowing Aaron Judge and Stanton to score for a 3-0 New York lead.

The Yankees, owners of 27 World Series titles, are chasing their first appearance in a World Series since they beat Philadelphia for the crown in 2009.

The Guardians are seeking their first World Series appearance since 2016 and their first title since 1948. (AFP)

Last updated: 2024-10-15 HKT 12:18