The Los Angeles Dodgers battled from an early deficit to defeat the Atlanta Braves, 9-2, setting up a chance for a series-split on Monday.
With the game tied at 2-2 in the ninth, the Dodgers broke it open with five runs against Braves’ closer Raisel Iglesias and two more on top of that.
Will Smith started them off with a one-out triple, and with two outs, the Braves opted to walk Shohei Ohtani to bring up Mookie Betts, who had twice left runners on with an opportunity in the game.
Betts made them pay this time, driving in the go-ahead run with a single. Freddie Freeman then singled home another run and an error from Jarred Kelenic in left field allowed another run to cross.
Teoscar Hernández blasted a two-run homer to make it a 7-2 game and after the Braves made a pitching change, Tommy Edman and Max Muncy homered to make it three-straight for the Dodgers.
Ohtani drove in the Dodgers’ first run with a double in the fifth inning following a single from Max Muncy and walk for Gavin Lux to start them off. Unfortunately, Mookie Betts flied out and left two runners in scoring position.
The Dodgers tied the game in the seventh, once again thanks to a double from Ohtani. Will Smith took a two-out walk and Andy Pages singled to set up the rally. Betts once again flied out to end the inning after a pitching change.
Walker Buehler was back on the mound needing to rebound for both himself and the Dodgers. After Jack Flaherty and Landon Knack each turned in their worst outings of the year against the Braves, Buehler turned in his best.
The only damage against Buehler came in the third inning, which was fueled by three walks in the inning and a catchers’ interference against Austin Barnes. The Braves loaded the bases with the two walks and the error before Buehler walked in a run.
A single gave the Braves a 2-0 lead and kept the bases loaded, but Buehler was able to get out of the inning to limit the damage there. While two runs isn’t ideal, it was encouraging to see Buehler step up to limit them after falling out of rhythm.
From there, Buehler added on three straight scoreless innings. He finished his night going six innings, giving up two runs, one earned, on three hits with five strikeouts and five walks.
The Braves had a great chance to take the lead in the bottom of the eighth against Michael Kopech after a leadoff walk and double, but he recorded a fly out and two strikeouts to get out of the inning with the game still tied.
Austin Barnes leaves Dodgers game with injury
Will Smith hit for Austin Barnes in the fifth inning with the Dodgers trailing by one run. While it could have been a move to get them some extra offense, it was instead related to an injury.
The Dodgers ended up announcing Barnes left the game with a left big toe contusion. Barnes previously went on the 10-day injured list with a fractured left big toe, so it would not be surprising if it was related to that.
He was activated 10 days later after landing on the IL, missing just the minimum amount of time and immediately entering the lineup in his first game back on Aug. 29.
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