Dodgers advance to NLCS

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On Monday night the Los Angeles Dodgers won Game 3 of their National League Divisional Series with the Arizona Diamondbacks, sweeping their opponents in three games. The final score was 3-1. The D-Backs were never able to get past the Los Angeles pitching in Game 3.

The Dodgers had many opportunities to score more runs, but they stranded 10 runners in the game. That should be a concern for manager Dave Roberts. The competition just gets tougher from here. In their next series they will face either the Chicago Cubs or Washington Nationals.

Cody Bellinger was the hero of the game, batting in two RBIs, the first with a fielder’s choice and the second with a solo home run.

Dodgers First Baseman Cody Bellinger

He further enhanced his Rookie of the Year chances by chasing down a foul ball and catching it as he flipped over the railing of the Dodgers’ dugout.

One of the keys to the win was plate discipline. With few exceptions the Dodgers didn’t chase bad pitches. They forced Arizona starter Zack Greinke to throw 105 pitches in five innings.

Yu Darvish had a very good outing, starting the game and going five innings. He gave up only one run, a solo home run to Daniel Descalso in the 5th inning.

Roberts pulled Darvish out of the game in the 6th after he hit Arizona pinch-hitter Christian Walker in the batting helmet. From there the Los Angeles bullpen kept the D-Backs from getting on the board.

Darvish got the win and Kenley Jansen, who struck out Arizona first baseman Paul Goldschmidt the end the game, got the save; Greinke took the loss.

The National League Championship Series begins at Dodger Stadium Saturday, October 14.

Below are Claudia Gestro’s video reports from Games 1 and 2 of the NLDS.

Photos by Claudia Gestro
Top photo: manager Dave Roberts with (L-R) Curtis Granderson, Joc Pederson and Kike Hernandez