Blake Snell, Dodgers hold off Phillies for 2-0 lead in NLDS

Blake Snell allowed one hit in six shutout innings, striking out nine, and the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers barely turned back Philadelphia's late rally Monday night for a 4-3 victory over the Phillies in Game 2 of their NL Division Series.

Freddie Freeman made a game-saving defensive play at first base and Shohei Ohtani delivered an RBI single that helped the Dodgers take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five playoff. The defending World Series champs can reach their 17th National League Championship Series with a Game 3 win Wednesday in Los Angeles.

Will Smith had a two-run single in a four-run seventh, and the Dodgers took a 4-1 lead into the bottom of the ninth.

That's when the Phillies finally mounted a major threat.

Nick Castellanos slid headfirst into second base, narrowly eluding a tag, for a two-run double off Blake Treinen that at last sent the Philadelphia crowd into a frenzy and made it a 4-3 game.

Alex Vesia came in to face Bryson Stott, who tried to advance Castellanos with a bunt. But third baseman Max Muncy wheeled and threw to shortstop Mookie Betts sprinting over to cover the bag in time to get Castellanos.

Pinch-hitter Harrison Bader singled and Max Kepler grounded into a fielder's choice that left runners at the corners with two outs.

Roki Sasaki entered and retired NL batting champion Trea Turner on a groundout to second for the rookie's second career save — both in this series. Freeman went to his knees to pick Tommy Edman's poor throw on his backhand, keeping his right toe on the bag before rolling over onto his back with the ball.

The Dodgers send RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto to the mound in Game 3. Yamamoto struck out a postseason-high nine while pitching into the seventh inning in the Wild Card Series