Yamamoto strikes out 10 as Dodgers beat Braves 3-1, lead NLDS 2-1

Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivered a dominant playoff performance, striking out 10 batters over seven innings while allowing just four hits and one run, as the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Atlanta Braves 3-1 on Tuesday night in Game 3 of their National League Division Series at Truist Park in Atlanta. The victory gave the Dodgers a 2-1 series lead in the best-of-five matchup.

The game featured a marquee pitching duel between Yamamoto, the 2025 World Series MVP, and Braves ace Chris Sale. Sale allowed three runs and seven hits over five innings. The decisive blow came in the fourth inning when Kiké Hernández, batting in the ninth spot, drove a two-run home run to left field off a Sale changeup, following a leadoff single by Andy Pages. Freddie Freeman, the former Braves star now with Los Angeles, added a solo home run to right field one batter later for a 3-0 lead. Atlanta's only run came on a bases-loaded groundout by Drake Baldwin in the fifth inning that scored Mauricio Dubón.

Yamamoto's 10 strikeouts set a postseason career high for the Japanese right-hander, who improved to 8-1 with a 2.14 ERA in 11 career postseason appearances. He allowed no walk and just one walk while displaying command across his six-pitch array. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts moved designated hitter Shohei Ohtani to the fifth spot in the batting order, a strategic adjustment given Ohtani's 3-for-15 career record against Sale.

Edwin Díaz secured the save, though not without tension. Ozzie Albies opened the ninth inning with a double off the right-center wall, advancing to third on a Michael Harris II groundout. Díaz retired the next three batters to close out the game. Second baseman Miguel Rojas left the game during an at-bat in the eighth inning with lower back pain and was replaced by Tommy Edman. Tanner Scott pitched a scoreless eighth inning, adding two strikeouts.

With the 2-1 series advantage, the Dodgers can advance to the National League Championship Series by winning Game 4 on Wednesday night. Tyler Glasnow is scheduled to start for Los Angeles against Braves right-hander Tyler Mahle, who indicated his pre-existing abdominal strain is no longer an issue. The Dodgers would be attempting to become the first National League team to win three consecutive World Series titles.