Dodgers pound Mets to open NL Championship Series

Field Level Media|published: Sun 13th October, 23:32 2024

Oct 13, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) reacts after hitting a RBI single against the New York Mets in the second inning during game one of the NLCS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

LOS ANGELES -- Jack Flaherty went seven scoreless innings, Shohei Ohtani had two hits and scored twice, and the Los Angeles Dodgers rolled to a 9-0 victory over the visiting New York Mets in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series on Sunday.

Daniel Hudson and Ben Casparius each pitched an inning for the Dodgers, who extended their scoreless streak to 33 consecutive innings to tie a postseason record. Los Angeles has not allowed a run since the second inning of Game 3 in the NL Division Series against the San Diego Padres.

Mookie Betts had a three-run double, Max Muncy had a two-run single and Freddie Freeman had two hits with an RBI while playing on a sprained right ankle as the Dodgers won their fifth consecutive game over the Mets going back to the regular season.

Flaherty (1-1) gave up two hits with two walks and six strikeouts.

Right-hander Kodai Senga (0-1) gave up three runs with four walks and lasted just 1 1/3 innings for the Mets, who lost an opener for the first time in three series this postseason.

New York had just three hits, all singles.

The Dodgers turned three consecutive walks in the first inning into two runs on Muncy's single before taking advantage of Senga's generosity again in the second inning. Gavin Lux walked to lead off the inning and scored on a single by Ohtani for a 3-0 lead.

Ohtani was then thrown out by Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez trying to steal second base, ending his streak of 36 consecutive successful attempts going back to July 22.

The Dodgers took a 4-0 lead in the fourth inning when Enrique Hernandez singled and scored on a Tommy Edman single. Ohtani followed with a single off the right-field wall for a 5-0 advantage, with Edman scoring after right fielder Starling Marte bobbled the ball. Freddie Freeman made it 6-0 on a single to left.

Flaherty did not allow a hit until the Mets' Jesse Winker opened the fifth with a single. The hit ended the Dodgers' streak of 28 consecutive batters retired, going back to the third inning of Game 5 in the NLDS.

The Los Angeles scoreless streak is an NL record and tied the Baltimore Orioles major league-best run of 33 consecutive innings in the 1966 World Series that ended in a sweep of the Dodgers.

--Doug Padilla, Field Level Media

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