Yamamoto Outduels Sale as Dodgers Take 2-1 NLDS Lead Over Braves

Yoshinobu Yamamoto struck out a postseason career-high 10 batters to lead the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 3-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves.

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Atlanta Braves 3-1 on Tuesday night to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five National League Division Series. Yoshinobu Yamamoto earned the win by pitching seven innings, allowing one run on four hits while recording a postseason career-high 10 strikeouts. Yamamoto issued only one walk and threw 62 strikes on 98 pitches, inducing 17 swings and misses during the outing.

Kiké Hernández broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning by hitting a two-run home run off Atlanta starter Chris Sale. Hernández, starting at third base in place of Max Muncy, connected on a changeup following a leadoff single by Andy Pages. Freddie Freeman extended the lead to 3-0 later in the same inning with a solo home run to right field on a 96 mph sinker from Sale.

Chris Sale took the loss for Atlanta, pitching five innings with seven strikeouts and no walks. The Braves scored their lone run in the fifth inning after loading the bases on singles by Mauricio Dubón and Lane Thomas followed by a Rowdy Tellez walk. Drake Baldwin drove in the run with a groundout before Ronald Acuña Jr. grounded out to end the threat.

In relief for the Dodgers, Tanner Scott pitched a scoreless eighth inning and Edwin Díaz earned the save despite allowing a leadoff double in the ninth. The series continues Wednesday with Game 4 at Truist Park, featuring a pitching matchup between Tyler Glasnow for Los Angeles and Tyler Mahle for Atlanta.