Walker Buehler's Day Off

Braves Hold Off Dodgers 6-5 To Stay Alive In NLDS

The Atlanta Braves used early power and late tenacity to edge Los Angeles 6-5 in game 3 of the 2018 National League Division Series. Atlanta’s win prevented a Dodger sweep and forces a game 4 in a series that had been completely one-sided for the Dodgers.

Los Angeles thoroughly dominated the first two games and some wondered if the postseason spotlight was just too much for the young Braves to handle. That changed in last night’s home half of the 2nd inning, when Dodger starter Walker Buehler went wild. He issued 2 consecutive walks, including one to feeble-hitting pitcher Sean Newcomb, forcing in a run and leaving the bases loaded. He thereby set the stage for rookie Ronald Acuna to thrill the home crowd. Acuna came through in dramatic fashion, jumping on a 3-1 Buehler pitch to launch a majestic blast into the left centerfield seats. His grand slam gave the Braves a 5-0 lead and told the Dodgers and the baseball world that this battle had finally been joined. Prior to the bases-loaded walk and Acuna’s blast, the Braves’ offense had been non-existent in this series, scoring no runs at all in the first 2 games.

For that matter, the Braves generated only 4 hits in this narrow victory, but they took full advantage of Buehler’s 2nd inning wildness to grab early control.

The Dodgers did not relent, however. They came right back with 2 runs in the 3rd on a Justin Turner single coupled with a fielding error by Acuna. The powerful visitors tied it back up in the 5th inning courtesy of 2 more home runs–a 2 -run shot by Chris Taylor and a solo blast by Max Muncy.

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman got the lead back on the first pitch of the home 6th. His homer into the right-field seats provided what ultimately.would be the winning margin. There was plenty of nail-biting for Atlanta fans over the final 4 innings, though, as Brian Snitker changed pitchers 4 times in an effort to nail down the win. Only rookie Chad Sobotka had a clean inning. Fellow rookie Touki Toussaint left the bases loaded in the 6th. A J. Minter allowed a hit and a walk in the 8th. Arodys Vizcaino did the same in the 9th but struck out 3 Dodgers to finally secure the victory.

The late-inning, late-night drama brought back happy memories of 1991 for old-time Braves fans. That was a hallowed year in Braves annals when another group of talented youngsters led the team to unexpected heights.

Thanks to this win, the Braves’ 2018 season plays on for at least one more game. Game 4 is in Atlanta with Mike Foltynewicz going against Rich Hill of the Dodgers at 4:35 EDT. Another Braves’ victory today would push the series back to LA for a decisive game 5.