*Photo from CBS Sports*
Atlanta leads series 3-2
The Baseball World got the matchup they never knew they wanted. Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith had an at bat against Atlanta Braves reliever Will Smith. Safe to say, the Dodgers Will Smith prevailed. Smith homered, Corey Seager drove in 3 runs, and the Dodgers topped the Braves by a 7-3 score to stay alive in the NLCS, pushing the series to a game 6 at minimum.
The Braves started the scoring in the first inning, when Travis D'Arnaud hit a sac fly to right field, scoring Freddie Freeman and making it 1-0 Braves. In the second Cristian Pache hit an RBI single to make it 2-0. In the 4th, Seager got the Dodgers on the board with a solo homer to center field, cutting the Braves lead to 2-1. In the 6th, Smith hit a pinch hit 3 run homer to put the Dodgers ahead by a 4-2 score. In the 7th, Mookie Betts hit an RBI single, and Seager cranked a two run homer to right field, making it a 7-2 Dodgers lead. In the 8th, Freeman scored on a groundout from D'Arnaud, making it a 7-3 score.
Blake Treinen got the win for the Dodgers, pitching the 4th and 5th innings, both scoreless innings. Treinen didn't allow any runs, or baserunners, and struck out one hitter. Dustin May served as the opener for the Dodgers, throwing two innings, allowing two runs on 3 hits and two walks, striking out 3 hitters. Joe Kelly, Brusdar Graterol, Victor Gonzalez, Pedro Baez, and Kenley Jansen also pitched for the Dodgers.
Betts spoke about the team's effort after the game, saying that "We are one game away from elimination; we have to be ready to play, every out is important, we showed that today and for the rest of the series every out is important, and we have to have the same mindset the next couple of games."
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised his players, saying that "They did a great job, and I think just seeing the looseness and guys having fun preparing for the game, but when the game starts, it gets tense and the guys are focused. But some big hits and Mookie’s play, offensively, defensively, obviously some big homers tonight kind of eased some things. But we do a good job of playing every pitch. But the win was huge, obviously."
The Braves Will Smith was hit with the loss, as he gave up the 3 run homer to the Dodgers Will Smith. AJ Minter served as the opener for the Braves, throwing 3 great innings at the start, only allowing one hit, striking out 7 Dodger hitters. Tyler Matzek, Shane Greene, Jacob Webb, and Josh Tomlin also pitched for the Braves.
The Braves have had to use their bullpen a lot, due to being routed in game 3 and the bullpen game for game 5, and manager Brian Snitker addressed the slightly taxed bullpen after the game. Snitker said that "Guys have to play, they’ve got to pitch, they may have to go four in a row. It’s just where we are in the season."
The series continues Saturday, where game one starters match up in game 6. Walker Buehler goes for the Dodgers, while Max Fried starts for the Braves.
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