Sept. 16 – The visiting Los Angeles Dodgers will try to build on Sunday’s blowout win when they open a four-game series against the Atlanta Braves on Monday.
The Dodgers had lost the first two games of the series against Atlanta, but beat the Braves 9-2 by scoring seven runs, including consecutive home runs in the ninth inning. It was a timely win for the Dodgers, who had gone 1-4 in their previous five games.
Los Angeles (88-61) is two games behind the Philadelphia Phillies, who have the best record in the National League. The Dodgers lead the San Diego Padres by 3 1/2 games in the NL West.
With the Mets’ loss, Atlanta (81–68) lost any chance of a comeback, and the Braves finished tied with New York for the final NFC wild-card playoff spot.
“We had a really good series,” Warriors manager Brian Snitker said. “Except for one inning, it was a great series between two very good teams. That’s what you can expect. I liked the guys we had on the mound (Monday) and they liked the guys they had on the mound (Monday).
The starters in the series finale are Atlanta left-hander Max Fried (9-9, 3.46 ERA) and Los Angeles right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto (6-2, 2.77).
Fried suffered the loss in his last game on Wednesday at Washington. He struck out six in six innings and allowed four runs on 11 hits, tying his career high. It was the first time in 29 games that an Atlanta starter had allowed more than three runs.
“They controlled the game,” Snitker said. “We just couldn’t get anywhere. That happens to you. You can’t win 3-1 all the time. You have to keep scoring.”
Fried has made nine career starts against Los Angeles and is 3-3 with a 3.02 ERA. On May 5, he faced the Dodgers and gave up four runs in seven innings, eventually losing the game.
Yamamoto made his second start since returning from a shoulder injury in June. He returned Tuesday and pitched four innings, giving up one run on three hits, striking out eight and allowing no walks. He threw just 59 pitches.
“I think this is the start of a better comeback than I expected,” Yamamoto said. “I think the way I felt today was one of the best feelings I’ve had all year.”
Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes agrees.
“Everything looks good — his fastball, his curveball, his split ball. It’s been a big surprise. I don’t know how he’ll be when he comes back, but he looks better than ever,” Barnes said. “That’s a huge boost. Looking forward to seeing more.”
Yamamoto had never encountered the Warriors.
The Dodgers allowed five runs in seven starts against Atlanta on Sunday against Raisel Iglesias. In his last 30 games, he has pitched at least one inning without allowing an earned run.
“It’s just one of those things,” Snitker said. “It was a tough play. It had to happen. It was just a mess considering how good he was. Hats off to him because he hit a really good pitcher.”
–Visual-level media
