Dodgers 4, Braves 1
The Los Angeles Dodgers advanced to the NLCS after defeating the Atlanta Braves 4-1 in Game Four of the NLDS at Truist Park in Atlanta on Wednesday. Andy Pages hit a two-run single in the top of the seventh to put the Dodgers ahead. Max Muncy hit a solo home run to score the Dodgers final run in the ninth. Additionally, Shohei Ohtani scored a run off a Mauricio Dubon throwing error in the first.
Their performance came as Tyler Glasnow went four-plus innings with five strikeouts. He surrendered a hit and an earned run while the relief unit combined for three strikeouts. With that, the Dodgers will face the winner of the San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers series in the NLCS. On the other hand, the Braves season ends less than a week after punching their ticket to the NLDS.
Tied after Six
Michael Harris II lined a single off Glasnow before swiping second in the bottom of the first. Glasnow struck out Ronald Acuña Jr. as Matt Olson hit a grounder, which advanced Harris to third. Not long after, a wild pitch allowed Harris to score the Braves first run. In the top of the second, Tyler Mahle walked Ohtani, who also swiped second. Mahle struck out Teoscar Hernandez swinging. Ohtani, ultimately, scored the Dodgers first run off Dubon’s throwing error, tying the game at 1-1.
Glasnow made it through the next three frames without allowing a run, recording three strikeouts. Mahle found success in the top of the fourth, striking out Will Smith and Ohtani. The veteran right-hander remained composed in the top of the fifth despite giving up a single to Kyle Tucker. Glasnow, meanwhile, issued free passes to Riley and Acuña in the bottom half of the inning with his first outing of the postseason ending after four-plus innings. Left-hander Alex Vesia replaced him and needed one pitch to end the inning.
Mahle retired the side in order in the top of the sixth. Ozzie Albies doubled off Vesia in the bottom half of the frame. The Dodgers replaced Vesia with right-hander Edgardo Henriquez, who ended the inning without allowing a hit.
Win Sealed
Mahle’s outing ended after giving up a single to Hernandez in the top of the seventh. Right-hander Didier Fuentes replaced him as he walked Josue De Paul and Tucker. With bases loaded for the Dodgers, the Braves replaced Fuentes with Robert Suarez. The move didn’t stop Pages from hitting a two-run single, giving the Dodgers a two-run lead.
Henriquez, meanwhile, surrendered a double to Harris with two outs in the bottom half of the inning. Still, Acuña hit a grounder that ended the frame. Tanner Scott replaced Henriquez in the bottom of the eighth, striking out Olson and Drew Baldwin.
In the top of the ninth, the Dodgers lead increased to three when Muncy crushed a 389-foot solo shot to right off Raisel Iglesias. In the bottom half of the inning, Edwin Diaz struck out Rowdy Tellez as he retired the side in order, sealing the victory for the Dodgers.
What Went Right for the Dodgers
Ohtani scored the Dodgers first run off Dubon’s throwing error in the first. Pages hit a two-run single in the seventh. Muncy scored the final run on a ninth inning solo shot, marking the 19th home run of his playoff career, the all-time franchise record.
Glasnow went four-plus innings with five strikeouts. Vesia, Henriquez and Scott recorded two strikeouts against the Braves. Diaz recorded his second save of the playoffs as he struck out Tellez in the ninth.
What Went Wrong for the Dodgers
Not much other than Glasnow having five walks and allowing Harris to score the Braves only run in the first.
What Went Right for the Braves
Harris was one of the Braves few bright spots throughout the entire series, going 2-for-3. Mahle lasted 6 1/3 innings with four strikeouts. He allowed only three hits, a walk and an earned run.
What Went Wrong for the Braves
Fuentes gave up two walks and an earned run as Iglesias surrendered the solo home run to Muncy in the ninth. The Braves once again struggled against the Dodgers pitching staff, who recorded eight strikeouts in the elimination game.
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Looking Ahead
After taking down the Braves in the NLDS, the Dodgers await the winner of the Padres and Brewers series to determine who they will face in the NLCS. The Brewers have a 2-1 lead entering game four of the NLDS on Wednesday from Petco Park in San Diego. The Dodgers will start on the road if they face the Brewers but will have home-field advantage if the Padres advance.
