Dodgers-D-backs NLDS Game 3: In Real Life

The Dodgers swept the D-backs in the National League Division Series presented by T-Moble with a 3-1 win on Monday night at Chase Field. With the clinch, Los Angeles advances to its second straight NL Championship Series presented by Camping World. We were on the scene in Phoenix.
9:15 p.m. MST: Barnes' blast follows Bellinger's catch
The Dodgers chased Zack Greinke from the game in the sixth inning, as catcher Austin Barnes took the D-backs ace's 105th pitch into the left-field seats to make it 3-1. Barnes, who went to college in the area at Arizona State, rocketed the ball at 105.2 mph off the bat, according to Statcast™. In the bottom of the fifth, Cody Bellinger, who had homered in the top of the inning, made a diving catch into the Dodgers' dugout to help stop Arizona's rally.

8:58 p.m. MST: Arizona answers
Yu Darvish was rolling for the Dodgers, at one point striking out four in a row between the fourth and fifth innings. But Daniel Descalso snapped the skid at 13 consecutive D-backs retired by turning on a 2-2 slider from Darvish and sending it a projected 393 feet into the stands, according to Statcast™. The homer opened the scoring for Arizona, cutting the Dodger lead to 2-1 in the fifth.

8:49 p.m. MST: Home cookin' fuels Bellinger's blast
Cody Bellinger began his postseason career 1-for-12, but he just needed a little taste of home to get going again. Bellinger, who grew up in nearby Chandler, Ariz., took Zack Greinke's 98th pitch a projected 416 feet to the opposite field, according to Statcast™, for his first career postseason home run, giving the Dodgers a 2-0 lead in the fifth. It was Bellinger's first homer since Sept. 22.

8:30 p.m. MST: D-backs faithful look to spark rally 
D-backs fans have come out loud at Chase Field as the NLDS has shifted to their territory, as shown by this sign in the stands.

7:25 p.m. MST: Taylor kickstarts Dodgers in 1st
The Dodgers jumped on former teammate Zack Greinke in the first inning, with leadoff hitter Chris Taylor -- who entered 0-for-7 in his career against Greinke -- scalding a double off the wall at 108.5 mph off the bat, according to Statcast™. Cody Bellinger, who grew up near Chase Field, later brought Taylor home on a fielder's choice to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead.

6:55 p.m. MST: Peralta shows Phelps how it's done
D-backs outfielder David Peralta gives Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, who threw out the ceremonial first pitch, a lesson in how to do a special pregame handshake before Game 3.

6:27 p.m. MST: LA fans fired up 
It appears that plenty of Dodgers fans made the six-hour trip from Los Angeles to Phoenix to cheer on their team, along with those Arizona residents who bleed Dodger Blue.

5:52 p.m. MST: Home sweet home for Ethier
For Andre Ethier, the trip to Chase Field might as well be a trip home. Ethier went to St. Mary's High School in Phoenix and played college ball at Arizona State. He made his big league debut at Chase Field in 2006 and has an offseason residence here as well. Last week, Ethier addressed what it means to him to return:
"It's an opportunity to go home and sleep in my own bed for a couple nights, so that's nice," said Ethier, who is in the final year of his contract. "I do enjoy it. It has that sentimental factor for me. It was my first game in the big leagues, I'll always remember that. What a great story that was, to grow up a couple miles down the street from the stadium and make my Major League debut in the stadium, city and state you grew up in front of all your friends and family. That always holds something for me. It's nice to go back and play [at Chase Field]."

5:30 p.m. MST: Dodgers take their turn in the cage
Justin Turner brings his flowing red locks to the plate as Los Angeles gets loose in batting practice. 

4:38 p.m. MST: Heart of the order beats loud in BP
Paul Goldschmidt, J.D. Martinez and Jake Lamb let it fly in the cages.

4:01 p.m. MST: Puig makes the leap in Dodgers' lineup
Yasiel Puig is the most notable player to move up the ladder, as he goes from No. 8 to No. 5 in the Los Angeles lineup. Game 2 sparkplug Austin Barnes slides up to No. 6, and Curtis Granderson gets the start in left field. 

3:52 p.m. MST: D-backs taking first cuts
Arizona players start to take the field for early batting practice at Chase Field. 

3:46 p.m. MST: Lovullo meets with media 
Torey Lovullo discussed what his team needs to improve on in order to climb back into the NLDS. 

2:52 p.m. MST: D-backs shake up lineup
Arizona is going with a significantly different batting order for tonight's game, pushing Ketel Marte into the No. 2 hole, and moving A.J. Pollock down to No. 6. Jeff Mathis is behind the dish and Jake Lamb, batting .600 in the postseason, moves up to No. 5 in the order as the D-backs try to get rolling in Game 3. 

2:30 p.m. MST: Field is ready
Chase Field is decked out with NLDS logos on the first- and third-base sides, with postseason graphics throughout the ballpark.

2:24 p.m. MST: Welcome Back
The D-backs returned home for the first time since Wednesday's Wild Card Game win over the Rockies. Monday marks the first NLDS game at Chase Field since 2011 against the Brewers.