*Photo from CBS Sports*
Atlanta leads series 2-0
Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman is making his case for National League MVP, following up a strong regular season with a fantastic playoff run. Freeman homered, drove in 3 runs, and the Braves held off a late comeback by the Los Angeles Dodgers for an 8-7 win, giving the Braves a 2-0 series lead and keeping them undefeated in the playoffs this year.
Freeman got the scoring started in the 4th inning with a two run homer to right field, making it 2-0 Braves. In the 5th, Cristian Pache hit an RBI double, Freeman hit an RBI single, Travis D'Arnaud drew a bases loaded walk, and Ozzie Albies hit a sac fly, making it a 6-0 lead for Atlanta. In the 7th, Dansby Swanson hit an RBI double to make it 7-0. In the bottom of the 7th, Corey Seager got the Dodgers on the board with a three run homer, making it a 7-3 game. In the 9th, Albies hit a solo homer to make it 8-3. In the bottom of the 9th, Seager hit an RBI double, Max Muncy hit a two run homer, and Cody Bellinger hit an RBI Triple to make it an 8-7 game, but the Braves shut it down from there to get the win.
Tyler Matzek got the win for the Braves, throwing two innings of scoreless relief. Ian Anderson got the start for the Braves, lasting 4 innings. Anderson allowed one hit and 5 walks, striking out 5 hitters. After Anderson and Matzek, Darren O'Day and AJ Minter finished the 7th inning, Chris Martin worked the 8th, and Josh Tomlin and Mark Melancon worked the 9th inning.
Braves manager Brian Snitker said of the late comeback by the Dodgers that "This is a good ballclub we're playing, and they're explosive, as we saw, I didn't feel good with a big lead, because these guys are too powerful. But that's a good ballgame to win. They all are now. We kind of shot ourselves in the foot there at the end, and Melancon did a great job coming in."
Freeman's big game further emphasized his case for the NL MVP, and Melancon, the closer, couldn't agree more. Melancon said that "He keeps showing why he's the MVP, Freddie is one of the most consistent players I've ever played against, played with or been around. If there was one word to sum him up, it's consistency."
Tony Gonsolin got the emergency start for the Dodgers, with Clayton Kershaw dealing with back spasms. Gonsolin threw 4 1/3 innings, getting hit with the loss. He allowed 5 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks, striking out 7 hitters. Gonsolin said after the game that "I just kind of didn’t make that adjustment that I needed to make to get in the zone a little bit more later in that outing, I wouldn’t say that I really got fatigued. I just think that my ability to make the adjustments quicker wasn’t there. There’s always room for improvement. I’ve got my first postseason outing under my belt now, so I’ll be ready for next time."
Despite the loss, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was happy with the late comeback attempt by the offense, saying that "Us showing some life offensively late was very good to see, for us to get Melancon in the game in a game like this, down 7-0, was big. To see some of their other arms we hadn’t seen yet I felt was important. The home run by Corey going the other way I felt was an exhale for everybody. Then in the ninth inning, we took some good at-bats and put some runs on the board. So, I definitely think that’s some momentum we can take into tomorrow."
The series continues on Wednesday, with the Dodgers looking to avoid falling into a 3-0 hole as Julio Urias takes the mound. Kyle Wright starts for the Braves as they look to be on the cusp of a world series berth.
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