(Reuters) – Los Angeles scored early and often and ace Walker Buehler overpowered the Tampa Bay Rays as the Dodgers bounced back from their Game 2 loss with a 6-2 victory to take a 2-1 lead in the World Series on Friday.
The favored Dodgers wasted no time getting on the board when third baseman Justin Turner rifled a solo home run over the left field fence in the first inning.
The Dodgers, playing as the “away” team for the first time in a series being held at Globe Life Field in Texas due to the COVID-19 pandemic, scored two more runs when Max Muncy singled in the third to push the lead to 3-0.
The Dodgers plated another run in the fourth on a sacrifice bunt by Austin Barnes before Mookie Betts brought Joc Pederson home on a single to center for 5-0.
Buehler was sharp from the outset and took a no-hitter into the fifth inning before giving up a double to Manuel Margot, who scored on a double by Willy Adames for 5-1.
But the Dodgers got the run back in the sixth on a solo shot by catcher Barnes, who also anchored an outstanding defensive effort by the team.
One bright spot for the Rays was a home run in the bottom of the ninth by rookie Randy Arozarena, who had just one hit in the first two games.
With his two-out blast to left, the 25-year-old rookie from Cuba tied the all-time postseason home run record at eight.
The Rays will hope to build on that momentum when the series continues with Game 4 on Saturday.
(Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles; Editing by William Mallard)
