Atlanta Braves Defeat Los Angeles Dodgers 3-2 to Even National League Division Series
Michael Harris II tripled and scored the go-ahead run on a fifth-inning wild pitch, and the Atlanta Braves defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-2 on Sunday night to tie the National League Division Series at one game apiece.
“Getting the split in this place against these guys, yeah, it’s awesome,” Braves manager Walt Weiss said.
Ray Kerr Earns Postseason Praise as Bullpen Game Strategy Succeeds
The Braves elected to start left-hander Ray Kerr as an opener to give ace Chris Sale extra rest following his Game 1 appearance and Wild Card workload, a decision that paid off as Kerr held the Dodgers scoreless over the first two and two-thirds innings. Kerr struck out four-time MVP Shohei Ohtani on a 95-mph four-seam fastball during his outing. Kerr missed most of the past two years recovering from Tommy John surgery before joining Atlanta’s active roster in August.
“It was just another Sunday,” Kerr said after the game.
Atlanta Relies on Six Relief Pitchers After Kerr Departs
Following Kerr's departure, Atlanta used six relief pitchers to finish the game. Mauricio Dubón put the Braves on the board first in the opening inning with a bases-loaded single to shortstop that scored Ronald Acuña Jr. After Freddie Freeman tied the game 1-1 with a solo home run off Grant Holmes in the fourth inning—facing his former team for the first time in the postseason—Harris manufactured the go-ahead run in the fifth by tripling and scoring on a wild pitch by Dodgers reliever Kris Bubic. Harris added an insurance run in the seventh with an RBI double off Edgardo Henriquez.
The Dodgers clawed back in the ninth when Max Muncy hit a two-out, two-strike home run off reliever Didier Fuentes to make it 3-2. Braves closer Raisel Iglesias then entered to face pinch-hitter Josue De Paula, who fouled out to third base to secure Iglesias’ second save of the postseason.
Los Angeles Strands Runners and Relies on the Long Ball
Los Angeles struggled to manufacture runs without relying on the home run ball, stranding seven runners over the first five innings and going 0 for 9 with men in scoring position across the series so far. Shohei Ohtani went 1 for 4 with two strikeouts, and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts noted that his hitters chased pitches outside the zone.
“We got to find a way to score some runs without hitting a home run. That’s our biggest thing right now,” Freeman said. “Get guys on base, get that big hit and hope that our pitching keeps doing good.”
Upcoming Game 3 Pitching Matchup in Atlanta
The series now shifts to Truist Park in Atlanta following a travel day. Left-hander Chris Sale is slated to start Game 3 for the Braves on Tuesday, facing Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Frequently Asked Questions About the NLDS Game 2 Matchup
Who started Game 2 for the Atlanta Braves instead of Chris Sale?
Ray Kerr started the game as an opener for the Braves, pitching 2 2/3 scoreless innings. Manager Walt Weiss chose to use Kerr to give Chris Sale extra rest ahead of his scheduled start in Game 3.
How did Michael Harris II contribute to the Braves’ victory?
Harris hit a triple in the fifth inning and scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch, and later drove in an insurance run with an RBI double in the seventh. He also singled in the third, coming up a home run short of hitting for the cycle.
When and where is Game 3 of the National League Division Series scheduled?
Game 3 takes place on Tuesday in Atlanta at Truist Park, featuring a pitching matchup between Braves left-hander Chris Sale and Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto.