NEW YORK – Shohei Ohtani delivered the fatal blow with a resounding three-run homer in the 8th inning, and the Los Angeles Dodgers regained the upper hand in the championship series against the New York Mets by winning by the score without appeal of 8-0, Wednesday.
Enrique Hernandez and Max Muncy also hit the long ball for the Dodgers, who rebounded well after dropping the second home duel 7-3 on Monday.
After starter Walker Buehler gave manager Dave Roberts four flawless innings, four relievers took over to allow the visitors to complete the shutout, their fourth in their last five playoff games.
“These guys are focused and they understand they have a job to do to stop other teams from scoring,” Roberts said. And I think we play well defensively as well. »
Muncy’s long ball in the top of the 9th inning was his 13th in the postseason, tying Corey Seager and Justin Turner for the franchise record.
“It’s truly a blessing. “I can’t be grateful enough that I had the opportunity to play enough games to put up those numbers,” Muncy said. I’m grateful to be able to be a part of a team that makes the playoffs every year. »
The two finalists in the National will play two other matches at Citi Field, Thursday and Friday.
“Being a part of big games is all that matters to me,” Buehler admitted. It’s a win that gives us momentum, but if we don’t do anything with this one, it won’t really matter. »
In theory, with two more victories in the coming days, the Dodgers could qualify for the World Series without having to return home.
Mets starter Luis Severino gave up two runs – but none earned – in 4 2/3 innings. The defeat went to his record.
Ohtani demonstrated once again that he is the man for the job when there are runners on the trails. In nine opportunities during these playoffs, Ohtani had seven hits, including two home runs, and produced eight runs.
“This circuit was important for Shohei to gain confidence,” Roberts said.
Adding in the end of the season, Ohtani is 17 for 20 with 27 RBIs when there are players in scoring position. Of his 17 hits, seven were home runs.
The 30-year-old Japanese, however, experiences a very long drought during these series when no player is on the trail. It is in fact 0 in 22 in such a situation.
The starters for Game 4 will be Yoshinobu Yamamoto for Los Angeles, and Jose Quinatana for New York.
