L.A. Dodgers, San Diego Padres pick up Game 3 wins in NLDS

Yoshinobu Yamamoto struck out 10 in seven innings, Kike Hernandez hit a two-run homer and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat Atlanta 3-1 on Tuesday night to take a 2-1 lead in their NL Division Series.

Yamamoto dominated the much-anticipated matchup with Atlanta ace Chris Sale, who allowed three runs and seven hits in five innings. Yamamoto, the MVP of the 2025 World Series, permitted only four hits with one walk while improving to 8-1 in his postseason career.

The Dodgers can win the best-of-five series and take another step in their attempt to become the first National League team to win three consecutive World Series titles by beating Atlanta again Wednesday night in Game 4.

Atlanta hoped giving Sale extra rest would be a winning formula in the pivotal third game. Instead, after stranding six runners in the first three innings, he gave up the two-run homer to Hernandez and a solo shot to Freddie Freeman in the fourth.

Braves right-hander Tyler Mahle is expected to face Dodgers right-hander Tyler Glasnow in Game 4 on Wednesday night. Mahle said Tuesday an abdominal pull is now a "non-issue." He felt the pull before allowing one run in seven innings of a 4-3 loss to Philadelphia in 10 innings during the NL Wild Card Series last week.

Jake Cronenworth hit a tiebreaking homer, Game 1 starter Michael King pitched the final two innings and the San Diego Padres avoided playoff elimination with a 4-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 3 of their NL Division Series on Tuesday night.

Xander Bogaerts turned a game-ending double play at shortstop for the Padres, who trimmed Milwaukee's lead in the best-of-five series to 2-1 with a tense, back-and-forth victory over the MLB-best Brewers.

Game 4 is Wednesday night at Petco Park.