The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the National League Division Series, setting up a potential series-clinching victory Wednesday at Truist Park.
It was the usual postseason suspects for the Dodgers in Game 3, with another in a growing list of brilliant outings by starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto and utility man/vibe curator Kiké Hernández.
Yamamoto picked up his 8th career postseason win in only his third year as a member of the Dodgers, and the reigning World Series MVP looked as sharp as ever through seven innings against the Braves.
Yama struck out 10 batters, gave up only four hits and one earned run, while improving his all-time postseason record to 8-1.
Manager Dave Roberts opted for a tandem of his much-maligned closers to put a wrap on the game. Tanner Scott came in for the 8th inning and struck out two batters without giving up a hit. Edwin Díaz returned to his closer role and, despite giving up a hit on his first pitch, was able to close the door on Game 3 and set the stage for a potential series-clinching showdown on Wednesday.
Dodgers get Yamamoto run support from Hernández, Freeman
Stop me if you’ve heard this before: Kiké Hernández gave the Dodgers the offensive jolt they’ve needed this postseason.
Read More: FOX, Dodgers announcer Joe Davis out for NLDS Game 3
Hernández started at third base in place of Max Muncy with lefty Chris Sale on the mound, and he did his best Muncy impression in his first start of the postseason.
With Andy Pages (who also had a bounceback game with two hits) on base, Hernández tattooed a pitch from Sale in the top of the 4th inning to drive in the game’s first runs.
According to MLB.com, that home run traveled 406 feet with a 106.8 mph exit velocity en route to left field. Kiké knew it was gone. Braves outfielder Mauricio Dubón knew it was gone.
Not to be outdone, two batters later, ol’ reliable Freddie Freeman got a hold of his own Sale pitch and drove it 399 feet to right-center field.
Those three runs would be the only runs scored by the Dodgers’ sputtering offense. But they proved to be enough on the back of another Yamamoto postseason masterclass as the Japanese phenom continues to carve his own legacy in Los Angeles.
Game 4 of the NLDS, with the Braves’ backs against the wall and the Dodgers on the verge of clinching another consecutive trip to the Championship Series, is scheduled for 3 p.m. PT Wednesday in Atlanta.
Expand for the NLDS Box Score
Dodgers 3, Braves 1 — Final
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dodgers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 0 |
| Braves | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 |
Winning pitcher: Yoshinobu Yamamoto (1-0)
Losing pitcher: Chris Sale (0-1)
Save: Edwin Díaz (1)
Key Dodgers stats
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto: 7 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 10 K
- Freddie Freeman: Solo home run, 1 RBI
- Enrique “Kiké” Hernández: Two-run home run, 2 RBI
- Mookie Betts: 2 hits
- Andy Pages: Scored on Hernández’s home run
Key Braves stats
- Chris Sale: 5 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, 95 pitches
- Drake Baldwin: RBI groundout
Scoring
- Top 4th: Enrique Hernández hit a two-run home run, scoring Andy Pages.
- Top 4th: Freddie Freeman hit a solo home run.
- Bottom 5th: Drake Baldwin drove in Mauricio Dubón with a groundout.
