Francisco Lindor fires subtle message after Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani clash in Mets’ extra-innings win

In a game brimming with star power and postseason echoes, Francisco Lindor and Shohei Ohtani brought the fireworks early—and late. The New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers, still carrying the weight of last October’s NLCS, opened their four-game set in LA with a tightly contested battle that delivered in drama and talent.

Lindor wasted no time setting the tone, launching a leadoff homer that electrified the visitors’ dugout. Ohtani responded in kind, crushing a majestic solo shot deep into the California night in the seventh. Both blasts were loud statements—one about resilience, the other about firepower.

But it was the final scoreboard that said the most. New York outlasted Los Angeles 4-3 in extra innings, snatching the opening game and, perhaps, a bit of momentum in a series that feels like more than just a May matchup. And when it was over, Lindor couldn’t help but mix admiration with a touch of competitive edge.

A battle of giants, one swing at a time

The opener between the Mets and Dodgers lived up to its billing as a clash of National League heavyweights. Each team homered early, with Lindor going yard in the first at-bat of the night and Ohtani answering with a towering drive of his own six innings later.

“I hit it with everything I had,” Lindor told reporters postgame. “Not as far as Ohtani. Ohtani’s was probably 40 feet further than mine. But they count the same.”

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Mets get the last word

As the night wore on, it was New York that found a way to tilt the balance. Clutch pitching and timely offense allowed the Mets to steal the opener in extra innings, a small measure of revenge for last season’s playoff heartbreak at the hands of Los Angeles.

Setting the tone for the series

For the Mets, this wasn’t just a win—it was a signal. The team’s offseason overhaul, which included the blockbuster acquisition of Juan Soto, was built for moments like these. Lindor, who remains the vocal and emotional centerpiece, delivered more than just numbers.

With one sly comment, he subtly acknowledged Ohtani’s power while reaffirming his own place among the league’s elite. “They count the same,” he said of the two homers—and in the box score, he was absolutely right. But for Lindor and the Mets, this one may count just a little more.