Jack Flaherty dominates the Mets and gives the Dodgers a 1-0 lead in the NLCS

Oct. 14 (UPI) — Jack Flaherty retired the first nine batters he faced in order and allowed just two hits in a dominant game against the New York Mets, giving the Los Angeles Dodgers a 1-0 lead in the National League Championship Series.

Flaherty also had six strikeouts in seven shutout innings in Sunday's 9-0 Game 1 win in Los Angeles. He threw 59 of his 98 pitches for strikes.

“We still have some work to do,” Flaherty told reporters. “We’re going to regroup, clean up a few things and get on with the rest of the series.”

Outfielder Mookie Betts recorded a three-run double. Infielder Max Muncy hit a two-run single in the first inning, giving the Dodgers a lead they never lost. Utility man Enrique Hernandez, designated hitter Shohei Ohtani and first baseman Freddie Freeman each had two hits for the Dodgers.

“We were really stubborn all night long,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I thought the attacking coaches did a great job of coming up with a game plan. Then the players implemented it.”

Ohtani hit an RBI single in the bottom of the second for the Dodgers' third run. Flaherty didn't allow a baserunner until leading off shortstop Francisco Lindor in the fourth inning. Dodgers shortstop Tommy Edman hit an RBI single in the bottom of the same inning. He scored on a fielding error after Ohtani singled in the next at-bat.

Freeman gave the Dodgers a 6-0 lead with another RBI single two at-bats later.

Designated hitter Jesse Winker and second baseman Jose Iglesias each recorded singles early in the fifth for the Mets' only hits against Flaherty.

Dodgers reliever Daniel Hudson allowed a hit and a walk but shut out the Mets in the top of the eighth. Betts hit his three-run double in the bottom of the inning for the final runs of the night.

Reliever Ben Casparius took the mound in the ninth and retired the Mets to solidify the series-opening win.

The Dodgers host the Mets in Game 2 of the best-of-seven series on Monday at 4:08 p.m. EDT at Dodger Stadium. Game 3 takes place on Wednesday in Queens.

The winner of the series will face the Cleveland Guardians or the New York Yankees in the World Series. The Yankees host the Guardians in Game 1 of the ALCS on Monday in New York at 7:38 p.m.