Yamamoto pitches 7 innings, 1 run as Dodgers beat Braves 3-1 to lead NLDS 2-1
Version 2: Post-game reaction expanded: Manager Roberts and catcher Will Smith praised Yamamoto, Yamamoto said he wants one more team win and described his focus, and reports noted his 10 strikeouts were a postseason career high and his first postseason win.
In short
Yamamoto Yoshinobu pitched seven innings and allowed one run on four hits with 10 strikeouts as the Dodgers beat the Braves 3-1 in Atlanta in Game 3 of the National League Division Series. The win gives the Dodgers a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series and leaves them one win from the league championship series. Ohtani Shohei started as the fifth batter and designated hitter and was hitless in two at-bats with one walk, Japanese outlets reported.
Read the full story 2 min read
The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Atlanta Braves 3-1 in Atlanta in Game 3 of the National League Division Series, taking a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series and moving one win from the league championship series, according to TBS NEWS DIG, Yahoo! News Japan, Yomiuri Shimbun, Jiji Press and Nikkei. [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 8 , 9 ]
Yamamoto Yoshinobu started for the Dodgers and pitched seven innings, throwing 98 pitches and allowing four hits and one earned run while striking out 10 and walking or hitting one batter, TBS NEWS DIG reported. Sankei Shimbun, Yomiuri Shimbun, Jiji Press and Nikkei also reported the seven-inning, one-run, 10-strikeout line, and Jiji Press said Yamamoto was the winning pitcher. [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 9 ]
The Dodgers scored their three runs in the fourth inning on a two-run home run by E. Hernandez and a solo home run by Freeman, Yomiuri Shimbun and TBS NEWS DIG reported; Asahi Shimbun said the two home runs came off the opposing ace left-hander. Asahi reported that Yamamoto’s only inning with runners in scoring position was the fifth, when he allowed a run on an infield groundout and then got Acuña to ground out to second with runners on second and third. Yamamoto said he felt he could locate any pitch, Asahi reported. [ 1 , 5 , 12 ]
Ohtani Shohei started as the fifth batter and designated hitter and was hitless in two at-bats with one walk, according to TBS NEWS DIG, Yahoo! News Japan, Yomiuri Shimbun, Jiji Press and Nikkei. Sankei Shimbun reported it was the first time he had started in a spot other than first or second since joining the Dodgers in 2024. Yomiuri Shimbun additionally reported that Ohtani reached base on catcher’s interference. [ 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 9 ]
After the game, Yamamoto said he concentrated on the game in front of him and was calm even with the bases loaded, Yomiuri Shimbun reported. He also said he had no feeling of out-pitching the opposing left-hander and was grateful to have interacted with the Cy Young Award winner before the game, and that he pitched with good focus, according to Nippon TV News. Yamamoto said he wanted one more win and to win as a team, TBS NEWS DIG reported. [ 7 , 10 , 13 , 17 ]
Manager Roberts said he could not praise Yamamoto enough and that Yamamoto was in good shape for Game 4, Nippon TV News reported. Catcher Will Smith praised Yamamoto for not being afraid to attack hitters and said he has sharp stuff now, Nippon TV News reported. TBS NEWS DIG reported that Yamamoto’s 10 strikeouts were his postseason career high and that he earned his first postseason win, while Nikkei reported it was his first double-digit strikeout game in the postseason and his eighth career win. [ 9 , 11 , 14 , 18 ]
Why it matters
A win in Game 3 puts the Dodgers one victory from the National League Championship Series and keeps their postseason run going. For Japanese readers, the game centered on Yamamoto’s strong start and Ohtani’s move down the batting order, a lineup change Japanese outlets highlighted. The added post-game reaction from the manager and catcher, and Yamamoto’s own comments, frame the result as a team step toward the next round.
Key facts
- The Dodgers beat the Braves 3-1 in Atlanta in Game 3 of the National League Division Series and lead the best-of-five series 2-1. [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 8 , 9 ]
- Yamamoto Yoshinobu pitched seven innings, throwing 98 pitches, allowing four hits and one earned run with 10 strikeouts and one walk or hit-by-pitch, and was the winning pitcher. [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 9 ]
- The Dodgers scored their three runs in the fourth inning on a two-run home run by E. Hernandez and a solo home run by Freeman. [ 1 , 5 , 12 ]
- Ohtani Shohei started as the fifth batter and designated hitter and was hitless in two at-bats with one walk. [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 9 ]
- Ohtani’s start in the fifth spot was his first start in a position other than first or second since joining the Dodgers in 2024. [ 2 , 9 ]
- Yamamoto’s 10 strikeouts were his postseason career high, and reports said he earned his first postseason win. [ 4 , 9 , 18 ]
- The Dodgers need one more win to reach the league championship series. [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 8 , 9 ]
- Manager Roberts said he could not praise Yamamoto enough and that Yamamoto was in good condition for Game 4. [ 10 , 11 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The Dodgers defeated the Braves 3-1 in Game 3 of the National League Division Series and lead the series 2-1. [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 8 , 9 ]
- Yamamoto Yoshinobu allowed one run on four hits over seven innings with 10 strikeouts and earned the win. [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 9 ]
- The Dodgers scored three runs in the fourth inning on a two-run home run by E. Hernandez and a solo home run by Freeman. [ 1 , 5 , 12 ]
- Ohtani Shohei started as the fifth batter and designated hitter and was hitless in two at-bats with one walk. [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 9 ]
- Ohtani’s fifth-spot start was his first outside first or second since he joined the Dodgers in 2024. [ 2 , 9 ]
- The Dodgers are one win from the league championship series. [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 8 , 9 ]
- Yamamoto’s 10 strikeouts were his postseason career high. [ 9 , 18 ]
Still unclear
- Yamamoto’s exact walk and hit-by-pitch totals. TBS NEWS DIG listed one walk or hit-by-pitch combined, while other outlets did not specify a combined figure.
- Whether Ohtani also reached base on catcher’s interference. Only Yomiuri Shimbun reported this detail; other outlets list only one walk and no hits.
- Whether Yamamoto’s outing was his first start or first appearance of this postseason. Sankei Shimbun described it as his first start this postseason, while Nikkei described it as his first appearance this postseason.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TBS NEWS DIG reports Yamamoto’s line of seven innings, 98 pitches, four hits, one earned run, 10 strikeouts and one walk or hit-by-pitch, and that a win would move the Dodgers to the championship series. [ 1 ]
- Sankei Shimbun reports the Dodgers lead 3-1 after eight innings, with Ohtani batting fifth as designated hitter and hitless through four at-bats; it says this is his first start outside first or second since joining the Dodgers in 2024. [ 2 ]
- TBS NEWS DIG reports the Dodgers won 3-1 and lead the series 2-1, one win from the championship series. [ 3 ]
- Yomiuri Shimbun reports the final score, Yamamoto’s seven innings with 10 strikeouts and one run, the two fourth-inning home runs by E. Hernandez and Freeman, and Ohtani’s two hitless at-bats with one walk and catcher’s interference. [ 5 ]
- Jiji Press reports Yamamoto as the winning pitcher and Ohtani hitless in two at-bats. [ 6 ]
- Yomiuri Shimbun reports Yamamoto said he concentrated on the game in front of him and was calm even with the bases loaded. [ 7 ]
- Nikkei reports Yamamoto’s 10 strikeouts were his first double-digit strikeout game in the postseason and his eighth career win, and that Ohtani went hitless in two at-bats with one walk. [ 9 ]
- TBS NEWS DIG reports Yamamoto said he wants one more win and to win as a team, and the manager said Yamamoto cannot be praised enough. [ 10 ]
- Nippon TV News reports Roberts said he cannot praise Yamamoto enough and that Yamamoto is in good shape for Game 4. [ 11 ]
- Asahi Shimbun reports Yamamoto allowed his only run in the fifth inning, got Acuña to ground out with runners on second and third, and said he felt he could locate any pitch. [ 12 ]
- Nippon TV News reports Yamamoto said he had no feeling of out-pitching the opposing left-hander and was grateful to have interacted with the Cy Young Award winner before the game. [ 13 ]
- Nippon TV News reports catcher Will Smith praised Yamamoto for not fearing to attack hitters and said Yamamoto has sharp stuff now. [ 14 ]
- TBS NEWS DIG reports Yamamoto set a postseason career high with 10 strikeouts and earned his first postseason win, leaving the Dodgers one win from the championship series. [ 18 ]