In their first stop at SunTrust Park since the 2018 National League Division Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers slugged their way to an 8-3 win over the Atlanta Braves, setting an MLB record to boot.
With another four-home run performance, the Dodgers became the first team in history to hit at least 22 home runs over a five-game stretch.
The club improved to 82-42 with the victory, trimming their magic number to 20 games in order to clinch a seventh consecutive NL West title. The Braves fell to 72-52, but still maintain control in the NL East, holding a 4.5-game lead over the second-place Washington Nationals.
Looking for yet another series win, the Dodgers send Hyun-Jin Ryu to the mound for his 23rd start of the season and second since returning from a brief stint on the injured list.
He was dominant in his most recent outing against the Arizona Diamondbacks, tossing seven shutout innings en route to a 9-3 Dodgers victory. It was the left-hander’s ninth start this season in which he did not allow a run.
Ryu enters with a 12-2 record on the year, sporting a Major League-best 1.45 ERA, 2.85 FIP and 0.93 WHIP in 142.2 innings pitched. He previously faced the Braves on May 7 at Dodger Stadium and yielded only four hits in what was a masterful complete game shutout.
Atlanta counters with Mike Foltynewicz, who looks to bounce back from a rough outing against the Miami Marlins. In six innings of work, he allowed 10 baserunners and four runs while accumulating seven strikeouts.
After a breakout 2018 campaign, the right-hander finds himself in the midst of a disappointing season. He carries with him into Saturday’s start a 4-5 record, 6.24 ERA, 5.82 FIP and 1.43 WHIP with 64 strikeouts against 24 walks in 70.2 innings pitched (13 starts).
Foltynewicz previously faced the Dodgers on May 8 and was tabbed with his second loss of the season after yielding 10 baserunners and five runs in six innings pitched.
The 27-year-old has struggled mightily at home this season, pitching to a 1-3 record, 6.27 ERA and 1.42 WHIP with 34 strikeouts compared to 13 walks in 37.1 innings (seven starts).
Dodgers lineup:
RF: Joc Pederson
2B: Max Muncy
3B: Justin Turner
CF: Cody Bellinger
SS: Corey Seager
LF: Matt Beaty
1B: Edwin Rios
C: Russell Martin
P: Hyun-Jin Ryu
CF: Ronald Acuña Jr.
2B: Ozzie Albies
1B: Freddie Freeman
3B: Josh Donaldson
LF: Adam Duvall
RF: Charlie Culberson
C: Tyler Flowers
SS: Adeiny Hechavarría
P: Mike Foltynewicz
