Dodgers breathe as they beat Braves in Game 5 of the NL Championship Series

Among the many motivational phrases that exist in sports, there is one that for the Braves has become a conviction verdict: “One more to go” or in Spanish “let’s go for one more” is easy to read, but difficult to execute for the Atlanta organization once again plunged into its greatest of all fears: lose a postseason series in which they led 3-1.

Under the Hollywood lights, Atlanta was once again overshadowed as it fell 2-11 with the Dodgers getting at least one extra day in the postseason.

When the Braves turn to their recent past, it is to remember the tragedies of the town. For the sixth time in their history, they lost Game 5 when leading a series 3-1. On two of those occasions, Atlanta’s ninth was eliminated, most recently last year against the Dodgers in the National League Championship Series.

“It will happen again” it is not the slogan of a viral meme, it is the thought that encompasses the fears of Atlanta fans and at the same time revives the hope of the vast majority of the Los Angeles population. The two sides of a coin.

In their third elimination game of the current postseason, the Dodgers survived. With the backing of Chris Taylor’s bat who contributed three homeruns, the Dodgers managed to keep hope of the two-time major league championship and add to a statistic that is not easy to forget. In the 2021 Playoffs, the teams that hit more home runs than their rivals have a 19-1 record.

It is the first time in all time that a player has scored three homers in an elimination game.

Before NLCS 2020, Los Angeles had lost all nine best-of-seven postseason series in which they went three games to one. Last year against Atlanta, the trend was interrupted by winning Game 5.

The revival was not easy

In Southern California where the sun almost always catches the days, the surroundings clouded over as soon as the first inning for the Dodgers. Elimination fear entered Dodger Stadium early when Freddie Freeman hit a two-run home run.

In another of the movements that challenge the popular wisdom of baseball, Dave Roberts decided that reliever Joe Kelly would take the first ball of the game. While it is true that early in his career in 2012, Kelly served as a starting pitcher, he is recognized for his effectiveness coming from the bullpen.

Joe Kelly before starting Game 5: Reliever Joe Kelly had a short start as a starter with an injury before serving an inning.

In the budget established by the Los Angeles office, Kelly would pitch no more than two innings, in reality he left with only two outs due to a stiff shoulder.

For the Dodgers, six relievers combined to receive no more runs.

A flash electrified Chavez Ravine’s hill. AJ Pollock flew the ball to close the gap on the board at that point to a run.. An awakening for the Los Angeles public and the players. Pollock’s first home run since 2017. He participated in 30 postseason games without a homer on his account.

The blue towels received by the nearly 52,000 fans shook the slumber of the Dodgers offense. With the historic Albert Pujols occupying the first pad, Chris Taylor put the Californians ahead with a homerun that came to rest in left field. The first of three.

Fried started the game for Atlanta Braves’ best pitcher Max Fried failed to clinch the victory that would send his team to the World Series

In search of the fourth win of the series, Atlanta sent its best pitcher. Max Fried, native of the Los Angeles area Going 38-13 in 69 starts since the start of the 2019 season, he took the mound. Like Julio Urías on Wednesday, Fried missed, took the loss in 4 2/3 innings where he allowed eight hits, five runs and two walks.

It was a night of home runs for the Dodgers, who sent the ball around the outfield five times.

National League Championship Series travels to Atlanta where this Saturday Game 6 is held.

The Braves keep thinking about “One more to go”; the Dodgers now go for two and with the past in their favor.