Shohei Ohtani delivered a pivotal three-run homer for the Los Angeles Dodgers, sealing their 8-0 triumph over the New York Mets in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series on Wednesday night.
Enrique Hernández added a two-run shot in the sixth inning, extending the lead to 4-0 and silencing the Citi Field crowd. The Dodgers, bouncing back from a home loss, secured a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, marking their fourth shutout in the last five playoff games.
Ohtani's 410ft blast in the eighth inning landed in the second deck of right field, just staying fair above the foul pole. Max Muncy's deep hit in the ninth inning was his 13th career postseason homer, tying the franchise record held by Corey Seager and Justin Turner. Muncy had also connected in Game 2.
A spirited Walker Buehler struck out Francisco Lindor with the bases loaded in the second inning, and the Dodgers' bullpen delivered five solid innings. Buehler, along with four relievers, combined for a four-hitter. Michael Kopech secured the win with a hitless fifth inning, and Dodgers pitchers finished with 13 strikeouts.
Mets starter Luis Severino struggled early, falling behind 2-0 in the second inning due to poor fielding. Despite not allowing an earned run, he threw 95 pitches, walked four, and lasted 4 2/3 innings, taking the loss.
Dodgers catcher Will Smith contributed with an infield single, and Tommy Edman's sacrifice fly could have been more if not for a spectacular catch by Tyrone Taylor on the right-center warning track. Ohtani, batting .222 with one homer and five RBIs in his first postseason, sparked the offense in Game 1 but hadn't hit a homer since the Division Series opener. His 0-1 cutter from Tylor Megill in the eighth inning was initially called fair and stood after a replay review.
Ohtani has 17 hits and 27 RBIs in his last 20 at-bats with runners in scoring position, including seven home runs. As the leadoff hitter, he is 0 for 22 this postseason with the bases empty, but 7 for 9 with two homers and eight RBIs with runners on.
Game 4 is scheduled for Thursday night in Queens, with rookie Yoshinobu Yamamoto set to start for Los Angeles against veteran left-hander Jose Quintana.
