Harris II, bullpen carry Braves past Dodgers to even NLDS
Michael Harris II tripled, scored the go-ahead run and doubled in another as the Atlanta Braves beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-2 on Sunday night. The win ties the National League Division Series at one game each. The series shifts to Atlanta, where Chris Sale is lined up for Game 3.
The Atlanta Braves left Los Angeles with exactly what they needed. Behind Michael Harris II and a bold bullpen plan, they beat the Dodgers 3-2 on Sunday night at Dodger Stadium to even the best-of-five National League Division Series at 1-1, AP and ESPN reported.
Harris was in the middle of everything. He tripled in the fifth inning and scored the go-ahead run when Dodgers reliever Kris Bubic threw a wild pitch. In the seventh, he added a run-scoring double that proved to be the winning margin.
Atlanta did not use a traditional starter. Ray Kerr opened the game, and rookie Didier Fuentes followed with three perfect innings in the middle, ESPN said. Freddie Freeman homered for the Dodgers in the fourth against his old team, and Max Muncy hit a solo homer off Fuentes in the ninth to make it a one-run game. Closer Raisel Iglesias then got pinch-hitter Josue De Paula to pop out to end it.
The Dodgers had chances but could not cash them. They went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position. Starter Blake Snell struggled with his command, and Los Angeles never found the big hit it needed.
Now the series moves to Truist Park in Atlanta. The Braves plan to start Chris Sale in Game 3, with Tyler Mahle set for Game 4, according to MLB.com. Atlanta will lean on its home crowd as it tries to knock out the defending champions.
Some history: Atlanta and Los Angeles have met often in October, including the 2020 and 2021 National League Championship Series, which they split. The Braves went on to win the 2021 World Series. The Dodgers have won the last two titles.
The winner of this series meets the winner of Milwaukee and San Diego in the NL Championship Series.
What we know: The series is tied 1-1 and heads to Atlanta.
What we don't: Whether Atlanta's thin rotation can hold up for two more games.
Where outlets agree AP and ESPN both report that Harris II tripled, scored on a wild pitch and doubled in a run as the Braves won 3-2 to tie the series.
Where they differ Atlanta coverage praises the bullpen-game gamble, while Los Angeles coverage focuses on an offense that went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position.