For the second time in the National League Championship Series, the Braves laid the Dodgers down by beating them 5-4 and getting ahead in the commitment 2-0.
Puerto Rican Eddie Rosario became the hero of the night at Truist Park by towing the winning run on Dansby Swanson’s spikes. Rosario had two hits that were decisive for Atlanta to take over the victory.
In the eighth inning he sent a hit to the back of center field that tied the Braves, who now travel to Chavez Ravine with a comfortable lead to get their pass to the World Series in Los Angeles.
The National League Championship Series now shifting to Chavez Ravine to resume activity Tuesday afternoon in Game 3.
The Mexican Julio Urías he returned to acting as a reliever this postseason. In Game 5 of the Wildcard Series he did it against the Giants and tonight manager Dave Roberts sent for him in the eighth inning. Urías had a poor performance by allowing two runs with which Atlanta took a breath and then came in the ninth and finalized the result.
The Braves knew how to come from behind twice on the board.
When the duel was twisted in the actions of the relief pitchers, Chris Taylor stood at the plate with the bases loaded and hit a double to center field that unraveled the scoreboard 4-2 at the time.
The Dodgers were once again prisoners of their own sins.
A collection of relief pitchers with rare mustaches they have become the Dodgers’ main weapon this postseason. Using the bullpen constantly, the Californian ninth managed to throttle the Braves’ offense in Game 2.
Manager Dave Robert decided to start with the veteran Max Scherzer as starter. Scherzer pitched twice in the last playoff series against San Francisco, limiting the Giants to one run and three hits in seven innings in a 1-0 loss in Game 3, before closing out the victory in Thursday’s game that gave the Dodgers the pass.
In those eight innings, the right-hander struck out 12, but the tiredness came. Scherzer only stayed four 1/3 innings tonight where he struck out seven but received four hits, including a two-run homer that tied the game at two runs in the fourth inning. It couldn’t be the “Alka Scherzer” the Dodgers needed to ease the discomfort they suffered from losing on Saturday night.
Scherzer has never faced the Braves in the postseason, but having been a former NL East rival while with the Washington Nationals, he is fairly familiar with Atlanta. He’s 10-9.
Roberts went for his best man on the hill and started using the middle streamer carousel.
Both organizations combined to use 12 relievers.
The triumph is credited by Will Smith and the defeat by Brusdar Gratero.
The Dodgers took the lead on the board from the top of the first roll, thanks to a two-run home run by Corey Seaguer. The Dodgers’ shortstop set off a curveball that was hung in the center of the plate by Ian Anderson.