Dodgers eliminate Braves 4-1 behind Andy Pages' seventh-inning hit to reach NLCS
Andy Pages drove in two runs with a bases-loaded single in the seventh inning at Truist Park as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Atlanta Braves 4-1 to clinch the Division Series 3-1.
Seventh-inning breakthrough
The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Atlanta Braves 4-1 on Wednesday night at Truist Park to clinch their National League Division Series 3-1. The decisive blow came in the seventh inning with the game tied 1-1. Atlanta starter Tyler Mahle retired Shohei Ohtani before yielding a single to Teoscar Hernandez, prompting manager Walt Weiss to summon rookie Didier Fuentes. Fuentes walked Josue De Paula and Kyle Tucker with two outs to load the bases, leading Weiss to bring in Robert Suarez. Andy Pages lined a 3-2 pitch from Suarez into center field to drive home Hernandez and pinch-runner Tommy Edman for a 3-1 lead. Pages entered the plate appearance 0 for 8 in the series, delivering the Dodgers' first hit with runners in scoring position after 15 consecutive misses. Pages credited his preparation after the game.
I've been preparing myself all series for a moment like that, give myself an opportunity, get a good pitch to hit. And luckily I was able to put a good swing on a pitch.
Pitching and early defensive errors
Before the seventh-inning rally, both clubs leaned on pitching after trading unearned runs. Atlanta grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Michael Harris II singled on Tyler Glasnow's opening pitch, stole second base, and scored from third on a wild pitch. Los Angeles equalized in the second inning after Ohtani drew a walk, stole second, reached third on catcher Sean Murphy's errant throw, and scored when shortstop Mauricio Dubon dropped Max Muncy's pop fly. Glasnow lasted 4 2/3 innings, permitting one hit and five walks on 78 pitches. Alex Vesia retired Matt Olson to escape a two-on jam in the fifth, while Edgardo Henriquez worked 1 2/3 scoreless innings for the win. Tanner Scott pitched a perfect eighth and Edwin Diaz retired the side in order in the ninth for the save.
- Michael Harris II singles, steals second base, and scores on a wild pitch to put Atlanta ahead 1-0.
- Shohei Ohtani walks, steals second, and scores following two Atlanta defensive errors to tie the game 1-1.
- Andy Pages drives in two runs with a two-out, bases-loaded single to give Los Angeles a 3-1 lead.
- Max Muncy hits a solo home run off Raisel Iglesias to extend the Dodgers' lead to 4-1.
Atlanta offensive drought
The loss concluded a 94-win regular season for Atlanta, which took the National League East title under first-year manager Walt Weiss. The Braves managed just two runs across the two home games and hit.145 in the series. Central hitters Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson, and Drake Baldwin combined for a 5-for-45 (.111) mark with no home runs and one run batted in. Atlanta drew 18 walks across the four games, but none of those baserunners crossed home plate. Acuña batted 2 for 15 in the series after undergoing an MRI on a sore knee following Game 3. He spoke to reporters at his locker before ending the scrum in tears.
I feel like I did nothing to help the team this series. You know, I'm supposed to be a spark plug for my team out there, and I never lit that fire. And so, extremely disappointed.
Pursuit of a third consecutive title
Max Muncy provided insurance in the ninth inning with a solo home run off Raisel Iglesias, his third homer of the series and 19th postseason home run with Los Angeles to extend his franchise record. The victory sent the Dodgers to their third straight National League Championship Series. Los Angeles aims to become the first team to capture three consecutive World Series titles since the New York Yankees did so from 1998 to 2000. In the NLCS, the Dodgers will face either the Milwaukee Brewers or the San Diego Padres, who were playing Game 4 on Wednesday night with Milwaukee holding a 2-1 series lead.
