Seven-Run Sixth-Inning Carries Dodgers to Game 3 Victory

LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Justin Turner hit a three-run home run after Russell Martin and Kike Hernandez hit two-run doubles during a seven-run sixth inning as the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Washington Nationals, 10-4, tonight in Washington in Game 3 of their National League Division Series.

Seven consecutive Dodger batters reached base after there were two outs in the sixth inning, as the Dodgers overcame a 2-0 first-inning deficit to take a two-games-to-one lead in the best-of-five series.

Game 4 is scheduled for Monday in Washington. Game 5, if necessary would be played Wednesday at Dodger Stadium.

The Dodgers were scoreless for the first 4 2/3 innings, limited to three hits by right-hander Anibal Sanchez, who struck out nine batters before Max Muncy hit an 0-2 fastball over the right-center field fence for a home run.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez pinch-hit for Sanchez in the bottom of the fifth with Michael A. Taylor, who singled, on first with one out.

Dodger left-handed starter Hyun-Jin Ryu retired pinch-hitter Ryan Zimmerman on a ground out, intentionally walked Trea Turner, then induced Adam Eaton to line out to left fielder A.J. Pollock to end the inning.

Left-hander Patrick Corbin, the Game 1 starter, replaced Sanchez to start the sixth in his first relief appearance since Sept. 29, 2017, with the Arizona Diamondbacks, who were preparing for the National League wild card game.

Corbin allowed a single to the first batter he faced, Dodger MVP candidate Cody Bellinger, who had been hitless in eight at-bats in the series, with five strikeouts. Corbin then struck out the next two batters, Corey Seager and A.J. Pollock.

Pinch-hitter David Freese began the rally with a single. Martin followed with a double, driving in Bellinger and Freese. Hernandez doubled in Martin and pinch-hitter Chris Taylor, who walked. Corbin intentionally walked Max Muncy to put runners on first and second with two out.

Martinez replaced Corbin with right-hander Wander Suero to face Justin Turner, who hit a full-count cutter over the left-center field fence before a crowd at Nationals Park announced at 43,423.

Ryu was credited with the victory, allowing two runs on a first-inning home run by Juan Soto, and four hits over five innings, striking out three and walking one.

Joe Kelly, the first Dodger reliever, failed to retire any of the four batters he faced, walking Anthony Rendon and Soto and allowing a single to Howie Kendrick to load the bases. Rendon scored on a wild pitch. Yan Gomes walked on a full count to reload the bases.

Dodger manager Dave Roberts decided to replace Kelly with Julio Urias. Pinch-hitter Asdrubal Cabrera drove in Soto with a sacrifice fly, with the run charged to Kelly. Hernandez, the Dodger right fielder, threw out Kendrick trying to advance to third.

Michael A. Taylor popped out to end the inning.

Urias and the next three Dodger relievers -- Adam Kolarek, Kenta Maeda and Kenley Jansen -- combined to shut out Washington over the final 3 2/3 innings, allowing just one hit.

Martin hit a two-run homer in the ninth off Hunter Strickland, the last of six Nationals pitchers.

Corbin was charged with the loss, allowing six runs and four hits in two-thirds of an inning.

Photos: Getty Images


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