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Dodgers vs. Mets live score updates: Shohei Ohtani homer leads off NLCS Game 4 for LA

jesse yomtov, usa today
·4-min read

The Mets and Dodgers square off in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series on Thursday night, with Los Angeles holding a 2-1 series advantage after a dominant win last night in New York.

Shohei Ohtani broke out of a slump with a three-run homer in the Dodgers' 8-0 victory at Citi FIeld, the team's fourth shutout in five games – and second in the first three games of the NLCS against the Mets.

Jose Quintana gets the start for the Mets while Yoshinobu Yamamoto takes the mound for the Dodgers. The left-handed Quintana has pitched 11 scoreless innings in two starts this postseason, striking out 11 with three walks. Yamamoto, who signed for $325 million last winter, got the win by tossing five shutout innings in the Dodgers' decisive NLDS Game 5 against the Padres.

Follow along for live updates from Thursday's game:

Mark Vientos ties it with first-inning homer

After Shohei Ohtani led off Game 4 with a homer, Mets third baseman Mark Vientos responded with a solo home run of his own in the bottom of the first.

It was the rookie's fourth homer of the 2024 playoffs and his 12 RBI tie the franchise record for most in a single postseason.

Shohei Ohtani home run leads off Game 4

After breaking out of a slump with a homer in Game 3, Shohei Ohtani led off Game 4 with a solo home run off Mets starter Jose Quintana.

What time is Mets vs Dodgers game tonight?

First pitch in Game 4 is scheduled for 8:08 p.m. ET on Thursday

  • Location: Citi Field in Queens, New York

  • Date: Thursday, Oct. 17

  • Time: 8:08 p.m. ET

Dodgers vs Mets TV channel

Dodgers lineup for NLCS Game 4

  1. Shohei Ohtani (L) DH

  2. Mookie Betts (R) RF

  3. Teoscar Hernández (R) LF

  4. Tommy Edman (S) SS

  5. Enrique Hernández (R) 3B

  6. Max Muncy (L) 1B

  7. Will Smith (R) C

  8. Andy Pages (R) CF

  9. Chris Taylor (R) 2B

Mets lineup for NLCS Game 4

  1. Francisco Lindor (S) SS

  2. Mark Vientos (R) 3B

  3. Pete Alonso (R) 1B

  4. Brandon Nimmo (L) LF

  5. Starling Marte (R) RF

  6. J.D. Martinez (R) DH

  7. Jose Iglesias (R) 2B

  8. Harrison Bader (R) CF

  9. Francisco Alvarez (R) C

Freddie Freeman out of Dodgers' Game 4 lineup

"He's obviously ailing and he's doing everything he can to stay on the field," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said before Game 4. "With the back-to-back games and one tomorrow, just trying to feel kind of make a decision what puts him in the best position for the games going forward.

"And just tonight seemed easy. Obviously he wants to be in there. But having him not make the start, run out there on and off the field, be ready for a big spot tonight, made a lot of sense."

Dodgers notch another shutout in Game 3

NEW YORK − Hey, wasn’t the Los Angeles Dodgers’ pitching staff supposed to be a complete mess in the postseason?

Weren’t the Dodgers headed for another playoff exit because they had only three healthy starters? They had better pitchers on their injured list than on the active roster, right?

Well, who’s laughing now?

The Dodgers delivered their fourth shutout in the past five postseason games Wednesday night with a 8-0 rout over the New York Mets at Citi Field, taking a 2-1 lead in this National League Championship Series.

“I don’t think we took it personally," said Dodgers reliever Michael Kopech, the winning pitcher, “but you know, we kind of did.

“Pretty cool to see what we’re doing.’’

Historic, too.

The Dodgers are the eighth team in postseason history to produce four shutouts, just one shy of Cleveland’s five shutouts in 2016.

“It’s really satisfying,’’ Dodgers reliever Blake Treinen said, “but it’s no crazy formula. Our defense has been playing great behind us. The offense makes it a lot easier for us because they get the early lead.

“Really, we just don’t let it get bigger than it is. We’re not afraid to make big pitches in big spots."

– Bob Nightengale

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dodgers vs. Mets score: Ohtani home run leads off NLCS Game 4, updates