Los Angeles – In a high‑stakes opening night at Dodger Stadium, the Dodgers secured a 5-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves to start the National League Division Series. Two‑time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal anchored the mound, striking out seven batters while allowing just one run on two hits and two walks over six innings.
Early Momentum Shifts
Atlanta’s starter Dylan Dodd was impressive, delivering three scoreless innings and limiting the Dodgers to two hits. The Braves’ bullpen, however, faltered in the fourth inning when manager Walt Weiss called on Victor Mederos. After a routine fly‑out, Mederos walked star first baseman Freddie Freeman and then surrendered a 92.3 mph cutter that left‑fielder Teoscar Hernández drove 431 feet into the left‑field bleachers for a two‑run homer, giving Los Angeles a 2-0 lead.
Dodgers right‑fielder Kyle Tucker added a bloop single, and Weiss promptly removed Mederos, turning to A.J. Smith‑Shawver, who retired the next two hitters and steadied the Braves’ relief effort.
Skubal’s Dominance and Braves’ Response
Skubal continued his dominance, retiring 15 straight batters after an early leadoff single by All‑Star designated hitter Drake Baldwin. The streak ended in the top of the sixth when catcher Sean Murphy connected on a 99 mph fastball for a solo home run, narrowing the gap to 2-1.
Atlanta’s offense stayed alive, loading the bases with walks and a hit‑by‑pitch, but Skubal limited the damage, inducing a weak fly ball from first‑baseman Matt Olson that left the score at 2-1.
Dodgers Extend Lead
In the bottom of the sixth, Hernández singled, and Tucker followed with a 408‑foot blast off Smith‑Shawver’s 97 mph fastball, pushing the Dodgers ahead 4-1. Shortly after, third‑baseman Max Muncy added a solo home run, making it 5-1.
The Braves, fighting with a depleted bullpen after a three‑game Wild Card win, kept Smith‑Shawver on the mound to preserve their remaining arms.
Late Braves Rally Falls Short
Atlanta mounted a late surge in the top of the ninth. Ronald Acuña Jr. walked, and Ozzie Albies delivered a two‑run homer off reliever Tanner Scott, cutting the deficit to 5-3. Scott retired the final two batters, and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts called on Evan Phillips for the final out. Phillips walked Mauricio Dubón, allowing Austin Riley to reach as the tying run, but secured the win by forcing a ground‑out from Braves third‑baseman Austin Riley.
Looking Ahead
The Dodgers will aim to build on this statement win when they host the Braves again on Sunday for Game 2. With Skubal’s poise and timely power from Hernández, Tucker, and Muncy, Los Angeles appears poised to continue its pursuit of a historic third straight World Series championship.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
