The visiting Los Angeles Dodgers will try to build on the momentum from their emphatic win Sunday when they try to even their four-game series against the Atlanta Braves on Monday.
The Dodgers lost the first two games of the series against Atlanta but scored seven runs in the ninth inning — including back-to-back-to-back home runs — to stun the Braves 9-2. It was a timely victory for the Dodgers, who had gone 1-4 in their previous five games.
Los Angeles (88-61) is two games behind the Philadelphia Phillies for the best record in the National League. The Dodgers hold a 3 1/2-game lead over the San Diego Padres in the NL West.
Atlanta (81-68) lost its chance to pick up ground after the Mets lost and the Braves remained tied with New York for the final NL wild-card playoff spot.
“We’ve had a really good series,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “Other than one inning, it’s been a good series between two really good teams. It’s what you’d expect. I like who we have on the mound (Monday) and they like who they have on the mound. It should be another really good game.”
The starting matchups for the series finale feature Atlanta lefty Max Fried (9-9, 3.46 ERA) and Los Angeles right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto (6-2, 2.77).
Fried took the loss in his last outing on Wednesday at Washington. He allowed four runs on 11 hits, matching his career high, with six strikeouts over six innings. It was the first time an Atlanta starter had allowed more than three runs over a 29-game stretch.
“He kept the game manageable,” Snitker said. “We just couldn’t get anything going. You’re going to have that, too. You can’t win 3-1 all the time. You have to consistently score more runs.”
Fried has made nine career starts against Los Angeles, going 3-3 with a 3.02 ERA. He faced the Dodgers on May 5 and took the loss after allowing four runs in seven innings.
Yamamoto is making his second start since returning from a shoulder injury sustained in June. He came back on Tuesday to throw four innings and allow one unearned run on three hits with eight strikeouts and no walks. He threw only 59 pitches.
“I think it was a much better comeback start than I expected,” Yamamoto said. “I think the feel I had today was some of the best that I’ve had this year.”
Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes agreed.
“Everything looked good — his fastball, his curveball, split. It was pretty surprising. I didn’t know how he was going to look coming back, but he looked better than ever,” Barnes said. “It’s a big boost. Looking forward to seeing some more.”
Yamamoto has never faced the Braves.
The Dodgers scored five of their seven runs in their winning rally on Sunday against Atlanta closer Raisel Iglesias. He had pitched at least one inning without allowing an earned run in his previous 30 appearances.
“It’s one of those things,” Snitker said. “It’s a tough game. It was bound to happen. What a run he’s had and this is just a little glitch. Hats off to them because they hit a really good pitcher.”
–Field Level Media