LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The Los Angeles Dodgers scored five runs with two outs in a 6-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays tonight in Game 3 of the World Series.
Walker Buehler limited Tampa Bay to one run and three hits over the first six innings, striking out 10, while three relievers allowed one run and one hit over the final three innings as the Dodgers took a two games to one lead in the best-of-seven series.
Of the 59 previous times the Series has been tied at one game a piece, the Game 3 winner has gone on to win the Series 38 times, 64.4%.
Game 4 is scheduled for Saturday with Julio Urias set to pitch for the Dodgers and fellow left-hander Ryan Yarbrough for the Rays.
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The Dodgers scored the first five runs, beginning with Justin Turner's two-out solo homer in the first.
In the third, Max Muncy singled in Corey Seager, who was hit by a two-out splitter from Charlie Morton, and Turner, who doubled.
A sacrifice bunt by Austin Barnes drove in Cody Bellinger, who singled leading off the fourth. Mookie Betts followed Barnes' bunt with a two-out single, driving in Joc Pederson, who singled, increasing the Dodgers' lead to 5-0.
Buehler held Tampa Bay hitless until Manuel Margot's one-out double in the fifth. Margot scored one out later on Willy Adames' double.
Barnes, the Dodgers' No. 9 hitter, hit a two-out solo homer in the sixth off John Curtiss, the second of five pitchers for the Rays.
Tampa Bay scored its other run with two outs in the ninth on rookie Randy Arozarena's solo homer off Kenley Jansen.
The homer was Arozarena's eighth of the postseason, tying the record for a single postseason set by Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants in 2002 and tied by Carlos Beltran of the Houston Astros in 2004 and Nelson Cruz of the Texas Rangers in 2011.
The American League Championship Series MVP was one-for-nine with a single in the World Series before the home run.
Morton took the loss, allowing five runs and seven hits in 4 1/3 innings, striking out six, walking one and hitting a batter. The right-hander entered the game 3-0 with a 0.57 ERA in the 2020 postseason.
Morton was seeking to become the second pitcher to win each of his first six postseason starts with a team, joining Hall of Famer Lefty Gomez, who did so for the New York Yankees between 1932-38, when the post season only consisted of the World Series, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
Morton was also attempting to become the second to allow one or no earned runs in six consecutive postseason starts, joining Curt Schilling.
For the first time in the Series, the roof at Globe Life Field was closed.
“Given Friday's forecasted temperatures, wind chill, and the possibility of rain, the Commissioner's Office has determined that the roof of Globe Life Field will be closed for Game Three,” according to a pregame statement from Major League Baseball.
“MLB, which consulted with medical advisers in reaching this decision, believes that a closed roof will provide the best competitive environment for players and the most comfort for fans without jeopardizing their safety in any way.”
The temperature for the first pitch in Arlington, Texas at 7:08 CDT was forecast to be 54 degrees with a wind-chill factor of 44 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. Wind gusts of 26 mph were also forecast.