Ohtani home run leads off NLCS Game 4, update
The Mets and Dodgers square off in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series on Thursday night, with Los Angeles holding onto a 2-1 series advantage after a dominant win in New York last night.
Shohei Ohtani broke out of a slump with a three-run homer in the Dodgers' 8-0 win at Citi Field, the team's fourth shutout in five games — and second in the first three games of the NLCS against the Mets.
Jose Quintana started for the Mets while Yoshinobu Yamamoto took the mound for the Dodgers. The left-handed Quintana pitched 11 scoreless innings in two starts this postseason, striking out 11 with three walks. Yamamoto, who signed for $325 million last winter, tossed five shutout innings in the Dodgers' decisive NLDS Game 5 win over the Padres.
Follow along for live updates from Thursday's game:
Mookie Betts home run breaks it up: Dodgers 7, Mets 2
With the Dodgers leading 5–2 in the top of the sixth, Mookie Betts hit a two-run homer off Phil Matton to extend Los Angeles' lead, possibly putting the game out of reach for the Mets.
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Betts is now 3-for-4 with 4 RBIs in Game 4 and a triple away from the cycle.
Mookie Betts' two-run double makes it 5-2
In the fourth, Jose Batto replaced starter Jose Quintana with runners on first and second and one out — and was greeted by Mookie Betts' two-run double to left.
Mets trail by one, Dodgers lead by three, 3-2
With the bases loaded and one out, Brandon Nimmo hit a double-play ball to second base, but the Hobble Mets outfielder beat the throw to first (after review), scoring the team's second run against Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
With the tying run in the third, Yamamoto got Sterling Marte to hit a sharp ground ball into the hole at short, picked off nicely by Tommy Edman, who threw to second to end the frame.
The Dodgers led 3-1 in the third
With two outs and runners on first and second, Dodgers shortstop Tommy Edman delivered an RBI double to Jose Quintana to give the Dodgers a 2–1 lead in the top of the third inning. Enrique Hernandez extended LA's advantage to 3-1 with an RBI single.
The Dodgers loaded the bases with a chance to break the game open, but Quintana allowed Will Smith to pop out to end the inning.
Mark Vientos tied it with a first-inning homer
After Shohei Ohtani led off Game 4 with a homer, Mets third baseman Mark Vientos responded with a solo home run of his own in the bottom of the first.
It was the rookie's fourth homer of the 2024 playoffs and his 12 RBIs tied the franchise record for most in a single postseason.
Shohei Ohtani home run to lead off Game 4
After breaking out of a slump with a homer in Game 3, Shohei Ohtani led off Game 4 with a solo home run off Mets starter Jose Quintana.
Quintana enters Thursday's game having thrown 11 scoreless innings so far this postseason.
How much is the Mets vs. Dodgers game tonight?
First pitch for Game 4 is scheduled for Thursday at 8:08 pm ET
- Location: Citi Field in Queens, New York
- Date: Thursday, October 17
- Time: 8:08 pm ET
Dodgers vs Mets TV Channel
Dodgers lineup for NLCS Game 4
- Shohei Ohtani (L) DH
- Mookie Bates (R) RF
- Teoscar Hernandez (R) LF
- Tommy Edman (S) SS
- Enrique Hernandez (R) 3B
- Max Muncie (L) 1b
- Will Smith (R) c
- Andy Page (R) cf
- Chris Taylor (R) 2B
Mets lineup for Game 4 of the NLCS
- Francisco Lindor (S) SS
- Mark Vientos (R) 3B
- Pete Alonso (R) 1b
- Brandon Nimmo (L) LF
- Starling Marte (R) RF
- JD Martinez (R) DH
- Jose Iglesias (R) 2b
- Harrison Bader (R) cf
- Francisco Alvarez (R) c
Freddie Freeman from the Dodgers Game 4 lineup
“He's obviously sick and he's doing everything he can to stay on the field,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said before Game 4. He is in the best position for the game ahead.
“And just tonight felt easy. Obviously he wants to be there. But not starting him, running in and out of the field, being ready for a big spot tonight, makes a lot of sense.”
The Dodgers notched another shutout in Game 3
NEW YORK – Hey, wasn't the Los Angeles Dodgers' pitching staff supposed to be a complete mess in the postseason?
Were the Dodgers headed for another playoff exit because they only had three healthy starters? They had better pitchers on the injured list than the active list, right?
Well, who's laughing now?
The Dodgers delivered their fourth shutout in the past five postseason games on Wednesday night, beating the New York Mets 8-0 at Citi Field to take a 2-1 lead in the National League Championship Series.
“I don't think we took it personally,” said Dodgers reliever Michael Kopech, the winning pitcher, “but you know, we did.
“It's pretty cool to see what we're doing.”
Historic, too.
The Dodgers are the eighth team in postseason history to produce four shutouts, just one shy of Cleveland's five shutouts in 2016.
“It's really satisfying,” Dodgers reliever Blake Treinen said, “but it's not a crazy formula. Our defense played great behind us. The offense made it a lot easier for us because they got an early lead.
“Honestly, we don't let it get any bigger than that. We're not afraid to pitch big in big places.”
– Bob Nightingale
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