DENVER (AP) — David Pastrnak and Hampus Lindholm scored 13 seconds apart in the second period to help the Boston Bruins beat Colorado 5-3 on Wednesday night, sending the Avalanche to their fourth straight loss.
It’s the longest skid to start a season for the Avalanche since 1998-99. That squad got back on track behind a lineup that featured Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg and Patrick Roy. They made it to the Western Conference final before losing to Dallas.
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Colorado Avalanche center Matt Stienburg, back, fights with Boston Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov in the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche goaltender Alexandar Georgiev reacts after giving up a goal to Boston Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm in the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak, left, is congratulated after scoring a goal by left wing Brad Marchand in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Boston Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm , front, celebrates after scoring a goal with teammates in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar is congratulated as he passes the team box after scoring a goal in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak, left, flies through the air after scoring a goal on Colorado Avalanche goaltender Alexandar Georgiev in the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesay, Oct. 16, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Boston Bruins center Mark Kastelic, right, collects the puck as Colorado Avalanche goaltender Alexandar Georgiev, center, and right wing Nikolai Kovalenko defend in the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesay, Oct. 16, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand, front, wraps around the net with the puck as Colorado Avalanche defenseman Oliver Kylington pursues in the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesay, Oct. 16, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Cole Koepke and Charlie Coyle added goals, with John Beecher wrapping up the game on an empty-netter with 2:01 remaining. Joonas Korpisalo stopped 22 shots for the Bruins.
Ross Colton, Cale Makar and Mikko Rantanen scored for the injury-riddled Avalanche. The Bruins led 4-1 midway through the second period only to see the Avalanche cut it to 4-3 on Rantanen's goal with 15:08 remaining.
Alexandar Georgiev allowed four goals. He's now surrendered 17 goals over four games. Last season, Georgiev led the NHL with 38 wins.
Bruins: Brad Marchand drew the wrath of Rantanen when he went down after being bumped by the Colorado forward. Rantanen threw his hands up in the air in protest as he drew an interference penalty. Marchand went down the tunnel shortly after the hit but later returned.
Avalanche: The power play was clicking as the Avalanche finished 3 for 3.
Colorado forward Matt Stienburg made his NHL debut and got into a second-period skirmish with former Avalanche defenseman Nikita Zadorov. In the stands, Stienburg's father was shown filming the moment. Matt Stienburg said after morning skate that his role model growing up was Marchand. Both are from Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Multiple assists were in abundance, with Rantanen, Nathan MacKinnon and Makar all getting two.
Colorado closes out a four-game homestand Friday against Anaheim, while the Bruins play at Utah on Saturday.
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Colorado Avalanche center Matt Stienburg, back, fights with Boston Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov in the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche goaltender Alexandar Georgiev reacts after giving up a goal to Boston Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm in the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak, left, is congratulated after scoring a goal by left wing Brad Marchand in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Boston Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm , front, celebrates after scoring a goal with teammates in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar is congratulated as he passes the team box after scoring a goal in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak, left, flies through the air after scoring a goal on Colorado Avalanche goaltender Alexandar Georgiev in the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesay, Oct. 16, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Boston Bruins center Mark Kastelic, right, collects the puck as Colorado Avalanche goaltender Alexandar Georgiev, center, and right wing Nikolai Kovalenko defend in the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesay, Oct. 16, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand, front, wraps around the net with the puck as Colorado Avalanche defenseman Oliver Kylington pursues in the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesay, Oct. 16, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
NEW YORK (AP) — By the time Shohei Ohtani stepped to the plate in the eighth inning, the Los Angeles Dodgers were already in control.
Once the ball left his bat, Game 3 of the National League Championship Series was over.
Ohtani launched a late three-run homer and the Dodgers pulled away for an 8-0 victory over the New York Mets that gave them a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Kiké Hernández hit a two-run shot to make it 4-0 in the sixth with his 15th career postseason homer and waved to the Citi Field crowd he quieted. Los Angeles rebounded from a loss at home by pitching its fourth shutout in the past five playoff games.
“These guys are locked in. And they understand they have a job to do to prevent runs,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “And I think we’re playing good defense, too."
Game 4 is Thursday night in Queens, with $325 million rookie Yoshinobu Yamamoto scheduled to start for Los Angeles against veteran left-hander Jose Quintana.
Ohtani connected for a 410-foot 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 connected in Game 2.
“It’s definitely a blessing. I can’t be thankful enough that I’ve had the opportunity to play enough games to be able to accrue those numbers,” Muncy said. “Thankful to be able to be on a team and an organization that gets to the postseason every single year.”
Dodgers starter Walker Buehler struck out Francisco Lindor on a full-count knuckle curve to leave the bases loaded in the second.
A fired-up Buehler shouted as he walked off the mound, and then again in Lindor's direction.
“That was the pitch of the game,” Roberts said. “Obviously, the crowd was into it. They were gaining momentum. To get the breaking ball down below the zone and get a great hitter out was huge. And I think that just kind of speaks to experience.”
No. 9 batter Francisco Alvarez fanned right before Lindor and went down looking all three times up. New York stranded six runners in the first three innings against Buehler when the game was still close.
“Walker, he’s a different animal in the postseason. I don’t care what his regular-season numbers are, especially this year coming off the second Tommy John (surgery),” Muncy said. “We all knew once we got into this setting he was going to be Walker Buehler, and he was definitely that tonight.”
Winless since May 18 during an injury-plagued season, Buehler made his 17th career postseason start. He struck out six in four innings of three-hit ball after failing to whiff a single hitter during his Division Series loss to San Diego.
Then the Dodgers got five stingy innings from their hard-throwing bullpen as Buehler combined with four relievers on a four-hitter.
“This guy has proven year after year that when there’s a big game and the Dodgers need a win, he’s the right guy to be on the mound,” Hernández said.
Michael Kopech worked a hitless fifth for the win, and Dodgers pitchers finished with 13 strikeouts.
Mets starter Luis Severino fell behind 2-0 in the second, partly due to some shoddy fielding. He did not permit an earned run but threw 95 pitches and walked four in 4 2/3 innings, taking the loss.
Slumping catcher Will Smith knocked in a run with an infield single, and Tommy Edman had a sacrifice fly that could have been more if not for a sensational catch on the right-center warning track by Tyrone Taylor.
Los Angeles threw consecutive shutouts against San Diego to win their heated Division Series after trailing two games to one. Jack Flaherty and the Dodgers then blanked the Mets 9-0 in the NLCS opener Sunday, extending the team’s scoreless streak to 33 innings — matching a postseason record.
The only recent blip for the pitching staff came Monday, when Lindor hit a leadoff homer and the Mets won 7-3 at Chavez Ravine.
Ohtani entered batting .222 with a homer and five RBIs during his first postseason. The $700 million superstar sparked the offense in Game 1 against the Mets, but hadn’t gone deep since hitting a three-run homer early in the Division Series opener.
“It’s important for Shohei, certainly, to build some confidence,” Roberts said.
When he connected on an 0-1 cutter from Tylor Megill in the eighth, Ohtani pointed toward the Dodgers dugout. The ball was initially called fair, a ruling that stood following a replay review.
“I just threw it into it his honey hole and he launched it into the upper deck,” Megill said.
Dating to the regular season, Ohtani has 17 hits and 27 RBIs in his past 20 at-bats with runners in scoring position, including seven home runs. The leadoff hitter is 0 for 22 this postseason with the bases empty. With runners on, he is 7 for 9 with two homers and eight RBIs.
Los Angeles improved to 4-0 at Citi Field this year, outscoring New York 26-5. That includes a three-game sweep in late May that dropped the Mets to 22-33 and marked the low point of their rollercoaster season.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Dodgers: 2B Gavin Lux was back in the lineup, batting sixth. Lux missed Game 2 because of a right hip flexor injury that forced him out of the series opener in the seventh inning.
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Yamamoto (7-2, 3.00 ERA) struggled in the Division Series opener against San Diego but then pitched five scoreless innings of two-hit ball to win the deciding Game 5 last Friday. He threw 39 of 63 pitches for strikes.
Quintana (10-10, 3.75 ERA) has not allowed an earned run over 11 innings in two playoff starts, both no-decisions. Going back to Aug. 25, the 35-year-old Quintana has given up just three earned runs in eight starts spanning 47 1/3 innings.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani celebrates his three-run home run against the New York Mets during the eighth inning in Game 3 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani celebrates his three-run home run against the New York Mets during the eighth inning in Game 3 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Fans cheer during the second inning in Game 3 of a baseball NL Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Teoscar Hernández breaks is bat and flys out against the New York Mets during the third inning in Game 3 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Michael Kopech throws against the New York Mets during the fifth inning in Game 3 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Tommy Edman hits a sacrifice fly during the second inning in Game 3 of a baseball NL Championship Series against the New York Mets, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
The New York Mets line up for introductions before Game 3 of a baseball NL Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani celebrates his three-run home run against the New York Mets during the eighth inning in Game 3 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani reacts after getting hit by a foul ball against the New York Mets during the sixth inning in Game 3 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Mets' Luis Severino is taken out of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fifth inning in Game 3 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Max Muncy is safe past New York Mets second baseman Jose Iglesias during the second inning in Game 3 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Mets pitcher Luis Severino walks to the dugout during the first inning in Game 3 of a baseball NL Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler and catcher Will Smith celebrate after New York Mets' Francisco Lindor strike out with the bases loaded to end the second inning in Game 3 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler throws against the New York Mets during the first inning in Game 3 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani celebrates his three-run home run against the New York Mets during the eighth inning in Game 3 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani celebrates his three-run home run against the New York Mets during the eighth inning in Game 3 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani hits a three-run home run against the New York Mets during the eighth inning in Game 3 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Enrique Hernández celebrates his two-run home run against the New York Mets during the sixth inning in Game 3 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani celebrates his three-run home run against the New York Mets during the eighth inning in Game 3 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
