Yoshinobu Yamamoto Strikes Out 10 as Dodgers Take 2-1 NLDS Lead

Yoshinobu Yamamoto struck out a postseason career-high 10 batters over seven innings as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Atlanta Braves 3-1 on Tuesday night at Truist Park, taking a 2-1 lead in their National League Division Series.

Yamamoto allowed one run on four hits and one walk, needing 98 pitches to win a high-profile duel with Chris Sale. The Dodgers can now clinch the best-of-five series in Atlanta in Game 4 on Wednesday.

Yamamoto controls Atlanta over seven innings

The Braves managed two singles across the first four innings before putting Yamamoto under pressure in the fifth. Two hits and a one-out walk loaded the bases, but Atlanta scored only once on Drake Baldwin’s groundout.

Yamamoto escaped without further damage and completed seven innings. His 10 strikeouts set a new personal postseason high and matched his best total from the 2026 regular season.

The right-hander has now won each of his last five postseason appearances on the road. Across that stretch, including four starts, he has allowed four runs in 33 2/3 innings while recording 32 strikeouts against four walks.

Hernández and Freeman break through against Sale

Sale opened the game in dominant form, recording his first six outs by strikeout. Los Angeles nevertheless forced him to work, leaving the bases loaded in the third inning and driving his pitch count to 62 through three frames.

The breakthrough came in the fourth. Andy Pages singled before Kiké Hernández hit a two-run homer to left field on a changeup, giving the Dodgers the first lead of the night. Two batters later, Freddie Freeman added a solo shot to right-center.

Hernández’s homer was the 17th of his postseason career. Freeman’s was his 18th in October, tying him for 10th on Major League Baseball’s all-time postseason list.

Sale completed five innings, allowing three runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts and no walks. Edwin Díaz worked the ninth for Los Angeles, stranding Ozzie Albies at third base to secure his first save of the postseason.

Dodgers move one win from the NLCS

The victory restored home-field control to the Dodgers after Atlanta had tied the series in Los Angeles. It also put the Braves on the brink of elimination after their offense produced five hits and went scoreless over the final four innings.

Los Angeles will send Tyler Glasnow to the mound in Game 4. Atlanta is scheduled to counter with Tyler Mahle as it tries to force a deciding fifth game.