Dodgers/ Mets/ NLCS/ Shohei Ohtani/ Walker Buehler/ MLB playoffs/ Newslooks/ NEW YORK/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Dodgers surged to an 8-0 victory over the Mets in NLCS Game 3, led by Shohei Ohtani’s three-run homer and stellar pitching from Walker Buehler. Ohtani’s powerful hit in the eighth extended Los Angeles’ lead, and a strong bullpen performance secured the win, giving the Dodgers a 2-1 series advantage.
Ohtani Homers as Dodgers Take Commanding Win Over Mets – Quick Looks
- Ohtani’s Big Hit: Shohei Ohtani’s eighth-inning three-run homer sealed the Dodgers’ 8-0 shutout over the Mets.
- Pitching Strength: Walker Buehler and four relievers combined for a four-hit shutout, their fourth in five playoff games.
- Series Momentum: The Dodgers now lead the NLCS 2-1, with Game 4 set for Thursday.
- Next Pitching Matchup: Rookie Yoshinobu Yamamoto faces veteran Jose Quintana in Game 4 on Thursday night in Queens.
Dodgers Dominate Mets 8-0 Behind Ohtani’s Power, Buehler’s Precision
Deep Look
The Los Angeles Dodgers claimed a commanding 8-0 victory over the New York Mets in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series (NLCS) on Wednesday night, driven by Shohei Ohtani’s powerful three-run homer in the eighth inning and an impeccable showing from their pitching staff. This win at Citi Field gives the Dodgers a 2-1 edge in the best-of-seven series as they aim to secure another National League pennant.
Ohtani, one of baseball’s biggest stars, stepped up to the plate in the eighth inning with two runners on base and the Dodgers already holding a comfortable lead. Facing Mets reliever Tylor Megill, Ohtani swung on an 0-1 cutter and sent the ball 410 feet into the right-field upper deck. The shot brought the score to 8-0 and marked Ohtani’s second postseason homer. It also punctuated a strong offensive night for Los Angeles, which has leaned on both pitching and timely hitting throughout their playoff run.
Kiké Hernández added to the Dodgers’ lead earlier in the game, smashing a two-run homer in the sixth inning to quiet the Citi Field crowd and push the score to 4-0. Hernández’s homer marked his 15th career postseason blast, underscoring his knack for clutch hitting. Max Muncy capped the night with a solo shot in the ninth inning, tying the franchise postseason record for career home runs with 13, a milestone he shares with Dodgers greats Corey Seager and Justin Turner.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised his team’s defensive sharpness and pitching consistency, saying, “These guys are locked in. They understand they have a job to do to prevent runs, and I think we’re playing good defense, too.”
On the mound, Walker Buehler anchored the Dodgers’ dominance, holding the Mets scoreless through four innings and delivering a crucial strikeout of Francisco Lindor with the bases loaded in the second inning to keep the Mets at bay. Known for his postseason resilience, Buehler struck out six, effectively bouncing back from a difficult Division Series outing against San Diego where he failed to record a single strikeout. Buehler, who switched to pitching exclusively from the stretch due to numbness in his right foot, expressed his drive to perform, stating, “Being in big games, that’s literally all I care about.”
Buehler’s performance set the tone for the Dodgers’ bullpen, which allowed only one hit over the next five innings. Michael Kopech earned the win with a hitless fifth inning, while three other relievers combined to hold the Mets scoreless. Los Angeles has now shut out its opponents in four of its last five playoff games, including a 9-0 victory over the Mets in Game 1 of this series, continuing a scoreless streak that was briefly interrupted by the Mets’ Game 2 win.
Despite the Mets’ early scoring opportunities, they struggled to capitalize, leaving six runners on base within the first three innings. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza acknowledged the team’s struggles, saying, “We are getting guys on base but haven’t been able to come up with a big hit. As long as we continue to create traffic, somebody’s going to come up and get that big one for us.”
In addition to Ohtani’s and Hernández’s power, the Dodgers benefitted from contributions across the lineup. Slumping catcher Will Smith drove in an early run with an infield single, while Tommy Edman added a sacrifice fly that brought in another. The Dodgers’ relentless offense was paired with a resilient defense that kept New York from mounting a comeback.
As Game 4 approaches, the Dodgers are set to start $325 million rookie Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who has displayed impressive poise on the mound. Yamamoto struggled in his first Division Series appearance but rebounded with five scoreless innings in the deciding Game 5 against San Diego. He will face Mets veteran left-hander Jose Quintana, who has not allowed an earned run in 11 playoff innings so far.
The Dodgers’ performance in this series underscores their depth and adaptability, combining a mix of explosive offense and reliable pitching. With Ohtani and Buehler setting the tone in Game 3, Los Angeles has a chance to take control of the series with a win in Thursday’s Game 4, pushing them one step closer to the World Series.
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