Tuesday, October 13, 2020

Braves erupt in ninth inning, beat Dodgers in NLCS Game 1

ARLINGTON, Texas — Whatever issues the Dodgers might have with the ninth inning this postseason, they are apparently not limited to Kenley Jansen.

Austin Riley made a mockery of Globe Life Field’s spacious dimensions, launching a sinker that didn’t sink enough from Dodgers reliever Blake Treinen 448 feet into the seats in left-center field to start the ninth inning and break a tie. Three more runs followed and the Atlanta Braves beat the Dodgers 5-1 in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series on Monday night.

  • Atlanta Braves’ Austin Riley rounds the bases after a run home against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the ninth inning in Game 1 of a baseball National League Championship Series Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

  • Atlanta Braves’ Ozzie Albies hits a two-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the ninth inning in Game 1 of a baseball National League Championship Series Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

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  • Dodgers relief pitcher Blake Treinen shows his frustration after allowing a go-ahead solo home run to the Braves’ Austin Riley during the ninth inning of Game 1 of the National League Championship Series at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

  • Atlanta Braves’ Ronald Acuna reacts after scoring a run off of a single by designated hitter Marcell Ozuna as Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (16) watches during the ninth inning of Game 1 of a baseball National League Championship Series, Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

  • Atlanta Braves’ Marcell Ozuna celebrates his RBI-single against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the ninth inning in Game 1 of a baseball National League Championship Series Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Victor Gonzalez celebrates striking out Atlanta Braves’ Charlie Culberson with the bases loaded during the eighth inning in Game 1 of a baseball National League Championship Series Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

  • Atlanta Braves’ Austin Riley celebrates a run home against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the ninth inning in Game 1 of a baseball National League Championship Series Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Corey Seager reacts after getting called out on a play by Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albie to end the fifth inning in Game 1 Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

  • Atlanta Braves’ Ronald Acuna Jr. celebrates after scoring on a single by Marcell Ozuna during the ninth inning in Game 1 of a baseball National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

  • Atlanta Braves’ Austin Riley celebrates a run home against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the ninth inning in Game 1 of a baseball National League Championship Series Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

  • Atlanta Braves’ Ronald Acuna Jr. celebrates after a double against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the ninth inning in Game 1 of a baseball National League Championship Series Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

  • Atlanta Braves’ Austin Riley hits a run home against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the ninth inning in Game 1 of a baseball National League Championship Series Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, in Arlington, Texas.(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

  • Atlanta Braves’ Ozzie Albies jumps out of the way of a pitch during the eighth inning in Game 1 of a baseball National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Victor Gonzalez celebrates striking out Atlanta Braves’ Charlie Culberson with the bases loaded during the eighth inning in Game 1 of a baseball National League Championship Series Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Dustin May throws against the Atlanta Braves during the seventh inning in Game 1 of a baseball National League Championship Series Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Enrique Hernandez hits home run against the Atlanta Braves during the fifth inning in Game 1 of a baseball National League Championship Series Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, in Arlington, Texas.(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

  • Atlanta Braves’ Austin Riley hits a run home against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the ninth inning in Game 1 of a baseball National League Championship Series Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Enrique Hernandez watches his home run against the Atlanta Braves during the fifth inning in Game 1 of a baseball National League Championship Series Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

  • Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried reacts after giving up a home run to Los Angeles Dodgers’ Enrique Hernandez during the fifth inning in Game 1 of a baseball National League Championship Series Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Enrique Hernandez celebrates his home run with Corey Seager against the Atlanta Braves during the fifth inning in Game 1 of a baseball National League Championship Series Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, in Arlington, Texas.(AP Photo/Eric Gay)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Max Muncy tries to get a glove on a ball hit by Atlanta Braves’ Marcell Ozuna during the third inning in Game 1 of a baseball National League Championship Series Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. Ozuna was out at first. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

  • Atlanta Braves’ Dansby Swanson steal second past Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Enrique Hernandez during the fourth inning in Game 1 of a baseball National League Championship Series Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Enrique Hernandez watches his home run against the Atlanta Braves during the fifth inning in Game 1 of a baseball National League Championship Series Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

  • Enrique Hernandez #14 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates a solo home run against the Atlanta Braves with teammate Chris Taylor #3 during the fifth inning in Game One of the National League Championship Series at Globe Life Field on October 12, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

  • Enrique Hernandez #14 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a solo home run against the Atlanta Braves during the fifth inning in Game One of the National League Championship Series at Globe Life Field on October 12, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

  • A blister on the hand of Walker Buehler #21 of the Los Angeles Dodgers is shown during the fifth inning against the Atlanta Braves in Game One of the National League Championship Series at Globe Life Field on October 12, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler is taken out of the game by manager Dave Roberts during the sixth inning in Game 1 of a baseball National League Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

  • Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves is out at first base by Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fifth inning in Game One of the National League Championship Series at Globe Life Field on October 12, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

  • ARLINGTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 12: Cody Bellinger #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers strikes out against the Atlanta Braves during the fourth inning in Game One of the National League Championship Series at Globe Life Field on October 12, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

  • Head athletic trainer George Poulis looks at Adam Duvall #23 of the Atlanta Braves as Brian Snitker #43 and Ron Washington #37 look on after an injury during the second inning in Game One of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Globe Life Field on October 12, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler throws against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning in Game 1 of a baseball National League Championship Series Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Enrique Hernandez celebrates in the dugout after a home run against the Atlanta Braves during the fifth inning in Game 1 of a baseball National League Championship Series Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, in Arlington, Texas.(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

  • Fans look on during the second inning in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series between the Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves at Globe Life Field on Monday night in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

  • Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves hits a solo home run against Walker Buehler #21 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning in Game One of the National League Championship Series at Globe Life Field on October 12, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

  • Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates a solo home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers with teammate Marcell Ozuna #20 during the first inning in Game One of the National League Championship Series at Globe Life Field on October 12, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Enrique Hernandez celebrates at the dugout after a home run against the Atlanta Braves during the fifth inning in Game 1 of a baseball National League Championship Series Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

  • Walker Buehler #21 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts as he walks to the dugout against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning in Game One of the National League Championship Series at Globe Life Field on October 12, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

  • Manager Dave Roberts #30 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning in Game One of the National League Championship Series at Globe Life Field on October 12, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

  • Atlanta Braves’ Freddie Freeman points after a home run during the first inning in Game 1 of a baseball National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, in Arlington, Texas.(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

  • Justin Turner #10 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a single against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning in Game One of the National League Championship Series at Globe Life Field on October 12, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

  • Max Fried #54 of the Atlanta Braves pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning in Game One of the National League Championship Series at Globe Life Field on October 12, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

  • Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates a solo home run with third base coach Ron Washington #37 during the first inning in Game One of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Globe Life Field on October 12, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

  • Fans wait for the start of Game 1 of a baseball National League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

  • Fans wait for the start of Game 1 of a baseball National League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

  • Walker Buehler #21 of the Los Angeles Dodgers walks to the infield before Game One of the National League Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves at Globe Life Field on October 12, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

  • Dave Roberts #30 of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Brian Snitker #43 of the Atlanta Braves hug before Game One of the National League Championship Series at Globe Life Field on October 12, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

  • A tribute to former Cincinnati Reds player Joe Morgan is shown before in Game One of the National League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves at Globe Life Field on October 12, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

  • A general view during the national anthem in Game One of the National League Championship Series at Globe Life Field on October 12, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

  • Fans wait for the start of Game 1 of a baseball National League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

  • Fans arrive before Game 1 of a baseball National League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

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“(Max) Fried threw the ball really well. And then they have a really good bullpen just like we do,” said Kiké Hernandez, who hit a home run in the fifth inning off Fried for the Dodgers’ only run. “At the end of the day, we came up short because we didn’t put at-bats together. We didn’t get runners on base. We weren’t able to pass the baton like we did in the last series.”

The Braves’ pitching staff came into the NLCS off a historic start to the postseason. No team since the 1905 New York Giants had started the postseason with four shutouts in the first five games.

There was reason to give that performance the side-eye, however. The Braves’ shutouts had come against the Cincinnati Reds and Miami Marlins – playoff teams in name only and two lower-tier offenses during the mini-season. The Dodgers posed a much bigger challenge.

Game 1 starter Max Fried gave all those zeroes legitimacy.

The Dodgers put runners on first and second with two outs in the first and second innings, using the same single-walk combination. But Fried escaped damage and retired seven consecutive batters following the second walk.

The Harvard-Westlake product struck out nine and, like Dodgers starter Walker Buehler, made just one mistake. His was a hanging 0-and-2 curveball to Hernandez in the fifth inning. Hernandez deposited it over the wall in left field for a solo home run.

“They made some mistakes that we just didn’t capitalize on,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “But you could see that their plan was just to spin us a lot more.

“I thought the first two innings we did a really nice job (driving up Fried’s pitch count). Then the second time through we got a little bit out of our game. To his credit, he just kept nibbling and spinning us to death and got through six.”

Buehler matched Fried but he did not make it look easy. He served up a solo home run in the first inning to Freddie Freeman – a 111-mph drive crushed 429 feet into the right field seats, freshly occupied by live fans. And he had to navigate around runners in scoring position in each of the next three innings.

A career-high five walks and seven strikeouts along the way pushed his pitch count to a season-high 100 after back-to-back singles to start the sixth. Brusdar Graterol defused that situation.

Dustin May followed Graterol and gave up a double to Marcell Ozuna to start the eighth inning. An intentional walk and the gentlest of hit-by-pitches loaded the bases with two outs.

Victor Gonzalez ended that threat, striking out pinch-hitter Charlie Culberson.

In both cases, Graterol (three outs on six pitches) and Gonzalez (four pitches) expended little but Roberts did not ask them to come out for the next inning.

“With Brusdar he took a ball, that last one off the palm of his hand,” Roberts said of a comebacker that ended the sixth. “I just felt that was it right there. I expect him to be ready to go tomorrow. And with Victor, punching out (pinch-hitter Charlie) Culberson but … I really loved Blake taking down that inning.”

His love was misplaced — just like the 1-and-2 fastball Treinen left over the heart of the plate to Riley. The 23-year-old crushed it and said he “didn’t feel my legs when I was running the bases.”

“I was able to hit a home run when I debuted (in May 2019),” Riley said. “This one tops it by far. The game is on the line, postseason, put the team ahead – that’s what it’s all about.”

Treinen’s night didn’t get better. Ronald Acuña Jr. followed with a double. After a fly out moved him to third, Ozuna drove him in with a single.

“I just felt that run right there (in the Braves’ lineup) was really good for Blake,” Roberts said. “He’s going to have to do it again. It just didn’t work out. I just trust that he’s going to get those guys out.”

Treinen got just one of the four batters he faced. Jake McGee replaced him and gave up a deep fly to Ozzie Albies that was caught … by Braves closer Mark Melancon warming up in the bullpen, showing that the Braves’ bullpen can do it all. Chris Martin, Will Smith and Melancon followed Fried by retiring the final nine Dodgers batters in order, closing out a four-hitter.

“It’s baseball. It’s going to happen. We’re going to lose games,” Hernandez said of the Dodgers’ first defeat in nearly three weeks (since Sept. 23). “But you know what? Game 1 doesn’t mean anything if they don’t win four games this series. Whoever wins four games first is the one that wins the series. We’ll throw this one away and come back tomorrow with a fresh mind and do what we do.”

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