Recap: NLCS Game One Sees Pitchers’ Duel Until Braves Open It Up In 9th To Beat Dodgers

Photo Credit: Los Angeles Dodgers

POST-GAME BRIEFING

The Dodgers end up losing the first game of the best-of-seven series to the Atlanta Braves. It was a pitching match-up that featured two dominant starters and strong bullpen outings from both sides. Unfortunately, the Braves tacked on four runs in the ninth inning to beat the Dodgers 5-to-1. Walker Buehler had some command problems, issuing five walks, but was able to grind through five innings of one-run baseball. The one run he surrendered as a solo shot to Freddie Freeman in the first.

Braves’ starter Max Fried was locked-in from the start going six innings, giving up four hits and one run while striking out nine. His only mistake was a hanging breaking ball that Kiké Hernandez crushed over the left field wall for a solo home run in the fifth.

The Dodgers’ bullpen was solid up until the ninth as Blake Treinen gave up a solo home run to Austin Riley and an RBI single to Marcel Ozuna. Then Jake McGeee came in and proceeded to give up a two-run homer to Ozzie Albies.

Despite the ninth inning meltdown, the Dodgers’ offense deserves a majority of the blame for only mustering four hits and one run while leaving five runners on base. Big sluggers like Mookie Betts, Max Muncy, Will Smith and Cody Bellinger went hitless, which is a major problem as they couldn’t capitalize on any opportunities. Moving forward the Dodgers’ hitters will need to figure out the Braves pitching and not let any scoring chances go to waste.

SCORING PLAYS

• TOP 1st: Freddie Freeman solo home run (0-1)
• BOT 5th: Enrique Hernandez solo home run (1-1)
• TOP 9th: Austin Riley solo home run (1-2)
• TOP 9th: Marcell Ozuna RBI single (1-3)
• TOP 9th: Ozzie Albies two-fun home run (1-5)

DLD PLAY OF THE GAME

Despite the loss, Kiké Hernandez was the only one to figure out starter Max Fried blasting a solo shot in the 5th inning, which tied the game at one apiece. This got the Dodgers right back into the game, but unfortunately it was the only run they scored.

TIE GAME: Kiké Hernández hits a solo home run to tie this game at 1! pic.twitter.com/b0Wbrp5wsM

— Dodgers Tailgate (@DodgersTailgate) October 13, 2020

DLD PLAYER OF THE GAME

Hernandez also gets the DLD Player of the Game for his incredible shot off Fried. Runs came at a premium tonight for both teams until the Braves opened it up in the ninth.

Bottom 5th: #Dodgers tie up the game with the #Braves at 1 thanks to a solo home run by Kiké Hernández! pic.twitter.com/Xqhtodua7K

— Dodgers Tailgate (@DodgersTailgate) October 13, 2020

UP NEXT

The Dodgers will look to turn it around with their long-time ace Clayton Kershaw, who ended up getting the win the last time he pitched against the Padres. He lasted six innings while giving up three runs and striking out six.

The Braves will counter with rookie starter Ian Anderson, who was dominant in Game Two of the NLDS. He pitch 5.2 shutout innings and eight strikeouts.

The NLCS Game Two start time tomorrow is at 3:05 PT.

Jacob Cisneros is a writer for Dodgers-LowDown. You can find him on Twitter and Instagram @_JacobCisneros.