Los Angeles Dodgers win NLDS Game 3 in 10-4 rout

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ bats finally exploded as the team put together a seven-run sixth inning en route to a 10-4 win over the Washington Nationals.

Don’t let the Los Angeles Dodgers get hot.

David Freese and Russell Martin combined to go five of seven at the plate while scoring two runs each and Martin providing the power, hitting a two-run double and two-run home run both times with Freese on base.

Much has been made of the Dodgers’ rookies this season and their exploits, but when the team needed them most, it was a couple of veterans who helped get them back in the win column.

Dave Giveth, Dave Taketh Away

With Corbin on the mound in the sixth inning, manager Dave Roberts kept sending up right-handed hitters, hoping that they could get to the left-handed pitcher. It turned out to be perfect as pinch-hitters Freese, Chris Taylor and Enrique Hernandez collected two hits and a walk, driving in four runs and scoring four to turn a close game into a rout.

At the bottom of the inning, Roberts made a questionable decision, allowing reliever Joe Kelly to stay on the mound despite the fact he had no control of his pitches. Kelly walked three batters, allowed a hit and threw a wild pitch to give up two runs in the inning. Roberts finally relented after Kelly faced his fourth batter without recording an out.

Had it not been for a baserunning blunder by Howie Kendrick, it could have been a lot worse for the Dodgers in the inning. The Nationals never threatened again but for a little bit there it looked like Roberts’ inaction could get the Nationals back into the game.

Next Up

If the Los Angeles Dodgers want to end the series quickly they are going to have to beat Max Scherzer in Game 4. With the bats finally waking up, they look like they have a fighting chance.