MLB playoffs: Ohtani leads rout as Dodgers pummel Mets in NLCS Game 3

Shohei Ohtani launched a three-run homer for the Los Angeles Dodgers that punctuated their 8-0 victory over the New York Mets in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series on Wednesday night.

Kiké Hernández hit a two-run shot to make it 4-0 in the sixth inning and waved to the Citi Field crowd he quieted. Los Angeles rebounded from a loss at home and grabbed a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series by pitching their fourth shutout in the past five playoff games.

Ohtani connected in the eighth with a 410ft drive that soared into the second deck in right field and barely stayed fair above the foul pole. Max Muncy went deep in the ninth for his 13th career postseason homer, tying Corey Seager and Justin Turner for the franchise record. Muncy also homered in Game 2.

A fired-up Walker Buehler struck out Francisco Lindor to leave the bases loaded, and the Dodgers got five stingy innings from their hard-throwing bullpen. Buehler combined with four relievers on a four-hitter.

Game 4 is Thursday night in Queens, with $325m rookie Yoshinobu Yamamoto scheduled to start for Los Angeles against veteran left-hander Jose Quintana.