There appeared to be a back and forth between Francisco Alvarez and Andy Pages, who crossed home plate after his first home run and exchanged words with the Mets catcher.

Immediately afterwards, it was unclear what was said.

What was clearer was that in a quiet offseason Friday, it wasn't just Alvarez's mouth that spoke up.

The previously flagging Alvarez awoke just in time with a loud bat and came through with three hits, including a big double and a clutch RBI single that helped the Mets survive to a 12-6 Game 5 victory over the Dodgers at Citi Field . which sent the NLCS back to Los Angeles.

Alvarez was among the most scrutinized Mets in an unforgettable postseason.

The 22-year-old consistently failed in moments big and small, going 5-of-35 with one walk and 13 strikeouts in his first 10 postseason games.

It seemed like the catcher was about to begin his rollercoaster season in October, and now he's at his peak: After five hits in 10 games, he has four hits in his last two games.

A former junior player who came up through the system as a first-batter catcher is now showing off his bat at the highest level.

Alvarez spun the ball around on a 3-on-4 night, rewarding the faith manager Carlos Mendoza had placed in him.

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Mendoza has repeatedly said that Alvarez is his catcher and repeatedly refused to take a look at backup Luis Torrens, who has yet to play in a postseason game.

That move looked smart when Alvarez hit a double over the head of right fielder Mookie Betts in the second inning.

Alvarez was stuck in third place, and his teammates did what he's done too often this postseason: They struggled with the clutch.

He lost again in the next inning.

With two outs and Starling Marte at third against Jack Flaherty, Alvarez hung on a second-pitch slider and hit an RBI single through the left side.

The baton was passed, Francisco Lindor then hit an RBI triple before Brandon Nimmo singled in another run.

Alvarez will tell you that attacking is not his main job.

In the fifth inning, he sniffed past a Max Muncy foul, which was crucial as Muncy walked and Pages drilled a three-run home run.

But otherwise, Alvarez did well to cope with a pitching staff that danced out of enough trouble to guarantee a Game 6 – one that Alvarez will surely start, this time without much controversy.