Dodgers Beat Braves in Game Three of NLDS

Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

October 6, 2026

Dodgers 3, Braves 1 NLDS Game 3

The Los Angeles Dodgers took a 2–1 series lead in the NLDS after defeating the Atlanta Braves 3–1 at Truist Park in Atlanta on Tuesday. Enrique Hernandez hit a two-run home run and Freddie Freeman blasted a solo shot off Chris Sale in the fourth. Additionally, Yoshinobu Yamamoto recorded 10 strikeouts in seven innings. He recorded his first win of the postseason as the Dodgers are a win away from advancing to the NLCS and eliminating the Braves.

Dodgers – Braves Game Summary

Mookie Betts started the first inning with a single off Sale, who rebounded by striking out Freeman. Betts advanced to second after a Ha-Seong Kim throwing error allowed Teoscar Hernandez to reach first. Yet, Sale was able to minimize the damage, striking out Will Smith and Shohei Ohtani to end the frame. Yamamoto, on the other hand, struck out Drake Baldwin and Ronald Acuña Jr. in the bottom half of the inning.

Betts recorded his second single in the third while Freeman nearly hit a two-run homer if it wasn’t for Mauricio Dubon making an improbable catch next to the left field fence. Not long after, Smith lined a single which advanced Betts to third. A catcher interference put Ohtani on first, loading the bases for the Dodgers. However, they failed to capitalize on the opportunity, with the inning ending on a fly out. Yamamoto, meanwhile, retired the side in order in a quicker bottom half of the inning.

With momentum on the Dodgers side, Andy Pages lined a single and Hernandez crushed a 406 foot two-run homer to give the Dodgers a two-run lead in the fourth. Freeman smashed a 399 foot solo shot, increasing the Dodgers lead to three. Austin Riley singled off Yamamoto, but the Braves failed to produce another hit in the bottom of the fourth with a runner on first.

Win Sealed

In the bottom of the fifth, Dubon and Lane Thomas hit consecutive singles as Yamamoto issued a free pass to Rowdy Tellez. With the bases loaded, Dubon scored off a grounder from Baldwin, bringing the Dodgers lead down to two. Yamamoto struck out Matt Olson and retired the side in order in the bottom of the sixth. He did the same in the bottom of the seventh, striking out Riley and Thomas.

After Sale’s outing ended after the fifth, left-hander Dylan Dodd totaled two strikeouts in a scoreless sixth inning. Dylan Lee replaced Dodd in the seventh, striking out Smith to end the frame. Brent Suter also found success when he put together a scoreless top of the eighth. On the flip side, Tanner Scott replaced Yamamoto in the bottom half of the eighth. He walked Acuña but struck out Olson to stop the Braves from scoring runs.

In the top of the ninth, Raisel Iglesias struck out Betts but also issued a free pass to Freeman. Still, he struck out Max Muncy swinging to end the inning. However, Ozzie Albies ended the standstill with a double off Edwin Diaz in the ninth. Albies advanced to third, but the Braves failed to score while facing Diaz, who sealed the close win.

What Went Right For The Dodgers

Hernandez hit a two-run homer in the fourth, marking the 10th home run of his playoff career. Freeman blasted a solo shot in the same inning, accounting for his 18th home run in the playoffs. Additionally, Betts went 2-for-5 as Pages ended the game 2-for-4.

Yamamoto lasted seven innings and struck out 10 to earn his first win of the postseason. He gave up only four hits, a walk and an earned run. Scott and Diaz put the finishing touches on the victory, combining for two strikeouts in two innings.

What Went Wrong For The Dodgers

Not much other than Yamamoto surrendering two singles in the fifth and allowing Dubon to score the Braves only run of the evening.

What Went Right For The Braves

Dubon hit a single off Yamamoto in the fifth before Baldwin scored him. Albies doubled off Diaz and advanced to third in the ninth although his teammates were unable to score him.

The Braves’ relief unit of Dodd, Lee, Suter and Iglesias combined for five strikeouts across four scoreless innings against the Dodgers.

What Went Wrong For The Braves

Sale surrendered seven hits and three earned runs in five innings. Despite recording seven strikeouts, he also gave up two home runs which were deciding factors towards the Braves loss. The Braves were also struck out 12 times by Yamamoto and Scott.

Looking Ahead

After taking game three, the Dodgers need one more victory to reach the NLCS while the Braves need a win to keep their season alive. Right-hander Tyler Glasnow (5–2, 3.53 ERA) will start for the Dodgers against right-hander Tyler Mahle (7–10, 3.99 ERA) for the Braves. First pitch for game four of the NLDS from Truist Park on Wednesday is at 6 pm Eastern.