Soto's early homer sets tone in Game 3 (Nats fall 10-4)

Juan Soto blasted a two-run shot over the center field wall to put the Nationals on top in the first inning of Game 3 of the National League Division Series at Nats Park.

Soto became the eighth player in Major League Baseball history under 21 to hit a home run in a postseason game.

Aníbal Sánchez has six strikeouts, including punching out the side in the second.

The Dodgers left the bases loaded in the first. Sánchez allowed two walks and a single to Justin Turner, but got out of the jam. The right-hander struck out Cody Bellinger and A.J. Pollock to end the threat.

Adam Eaton walked with one out in the first against Dodgers left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu. After Anthony Rendon flew out to center field, Soto launched a high-in-the-zone 1-1 offering well over the center field wall for his first homer of the series.

After three innings, the Nats lead the Dodgers 2-0.

Update: Max Muncy crushed a 0-2 pitch from Sánchez over the right-center field wall with two outs in the top of the fifth. It was Muncy's second homer of the series.

Mid-fifth, the Nats lead the Dodgers 2-1.

Update II: The Dodgers blew thew game open with seven runs in the sixth. Against Patrick Corbin, Russell Martin and pinch-hitter Kiké Hernández delivered two-run doubles. Justin Turner crushed a three-run homer off Wander Suero.

Sánchez finished five innings, allowing one run on four hits with two walks and nine strikeouts. He threw 87 pitches, 52 for strikes.

Mid-sixth, the Dodgers lead the Nats 8-2.

Update III: The Nats looked to have a big inning in front of them after Joe Kelly allowed a single to Howie Kendrick and walked three batters. Rendon scored on a wild pitch to cut the Dodgers' lead to 8-3. Following pinch-hitter Asdrúbal Cabrera's sacrifice fly to right field that scored Soto, Kendrick was caught between second and third and tagged out. Michael A. Taylor popped up to first base to end the rally.

After six innings, the Dodgers lead the Nats 8-4.

Update IV: Martin continued his big game with a two-run shot off Hunter Strickland in the ninth. The two add-on runs were big in making the deficit that much more difficult for the Nats to conquer with just three outs left to play with.

Mid-ninth, the Dodgers lead the Nats 10-4.

Update V: Kenley Jansen struck out two and induced a grounder to end the game.

Final score: Dodgers 10, Nats 4.

The Dodgers lead the best-of-five series, two games to one.