sunny.png
Friday June 2nd, 2023 7:33AM

Albies drives in winning run in 9th as Braves beat Dodgers 4-3, avoid sweep

By Charles Odum AP Sports Writer
Related Articles
  Contact Editor

ATLANTA — Bryce Elder's clutch pitching kept Atlanta in the game. Strong situational at-bats in the ninth produced a much-needed win.

Ozzie Albies' sacrifice fly drove in Austin Riley in the bottom of the ninth and the Braves beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-3 on Wednesday night to avoid a three-game sweep.

“It was really good after the way the first two went,” Austin Riley said of losses in the first two games in the series matching the teams with the best records in the National League.

Riley doubled to left field off Phil Bickford (1-2) to lead off the ninth. Riley moved to third on Travis d'Arnaud's grounder to first base. Following an intentional walk to Eddie Rosario, Albies' fly to deep right field allowed Riley to score easily, setting off a celebration near first base.

“Great job by Ozzie, but Travis set us up with a very professional at-bat,” Riley said.

Elder gave up seven hits and one walk but had six strikeouts while allowing only one run in six innings. Elder stranded two runners on base in each of the first three innings to continue his season-long success in pitching out of trouble.

Dodgers hitters were 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position.

Entering the game, Elder's 3.24 ERA with runners on base was the lowest in the National League. His success against the NL West-leading Dodgers impressed Braves manager Brian Snitker.

“It's probably the most experienced and talented lineup he's faced in his young career,” Snitker said. “The first three innings he faced no less than five guys. He didn't give in, either.”

Dodgers right-hander Tony Gonsolin's 14-inning streak of scoreless innings ended with Matt Olson's 456-foot home run which landed on the roof in right field with one out in the fourth inning for Atlanta's first hit. Olson leads the Braves with 14 homers.

Mookie Betts answered with a line-drive homer, his 11th, which tied the game at 1 to open the fifth inning. Marcell Ozuna's two-run shot to left field in the fifth followed Gonsolin's walk to Albies.

Gonsolin allowed three runs on three hits, including two homers, in 5 2/3 innings.

The Dodgers rallied from a 3-1 deficit to tie the game against Nick Anderson in the eighth. Will Smith singled, moved to third on a double by J.D. Martinez and scored on Jason Heyward's groundout. Miguel Vargas added a ground-rule double to left field to drive in Martinez.

The Dodgers again left two runners on base in the ninth. Freddie Freeman walked before will Smith hit a bloop single off Raisel Iglesias, leaving runners on first and third with two outs. Iglesias (1-1) escaped the jam on Max Muncy's popup caught by shortstop Orlando Arcia in shallow left field.

WINNING WITH YOUTH

Despite the loss, the Dodgers could celebrate winning the first two games of the series behind rookie starters Gavin Stone and Bobby Miller.

“We've talked about the depth we have in our organization,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “To see it play out in real time is exciting.”

DROUGHT-BREAKING HIT

Michael Harris II ended an 0-for-24 slump with a single off Victor González to lead off the eighth before Ronald Acuña Jr. hit into a double play. Harris was hitting only .159 before the hit.

“He had some better swings tonight,” Snitker said of the 22-year-old Harris. “He's a young player. He doesn't have a lot to draw on experience-wise.”

Harris hit .297 with 19 homers to win NL rookie of the year in 2022.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Braves: RHP Michael Soroka moved closer to earning his first return to Atlanta since 2020 when he allowed only two hits and one run in six innings for Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday night. Soroka is attempting a comeback from two tears of his right Achilles tendon. Snitker was most impressed Soroka threw 96 pitches, proving he's ready to pitch deep into games. “His stuff is getting better,” Snitker said. “It's all headed in the right direction. ... I think when and if we need him, he'll be ready.”

Dodgers: LHP Clayton Kershaw is expected to join the team in Tampa Bay on Friday as he returns from the bereavement list after attending his mother’s funeral. Kershaw is expected to start on Saturday.

UP NEXT

Dodgers: RHP Noah Syndergaard (1-3, 5.88) will start when the Dodgers open a three-game series at Tampa Bay on Friday night following an off day on Thursday.

Braves: LHP Dylan Dodd is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett to start as Atlanta opens a four-game series against RHP Aaron Nola (4-3, 4.31) and the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday night. Dodd is 1-3 with a 6.67 ERA at Triple-A Gwinnett and is 2-1 with a 6.46 ERA with Atlanta.

  • Associated Categories: Sports
  • Associated Tags: Atlanta Braves
© Copyright 2023 AccessWDUN.com
All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.
Albies drives in winning run in 9th as Braves beat Dodgers 4-3, avoid sweep
Bryce Elder's clutch pitching kept Atlanta in the game. Strong situational at-bats in the ninth produced a much-needed win...
11:32PM ( 4 minutes ago )
O'Donnell, Virginia eliminate Georgia Tech in ACC Tournament
Ethan O'Donnell went 3 for 5, including a three-run home run, and No. 2 seed Virginia rode an eight-run fifth inning to a 15-1 seven-inning victory over No. 11 seed Georgia Tech on Wednesday in pool play at the ACC Tournament...
8:14PM ( 3 hours ago )
NASCAR opens investigation into Wallace's hacked radio channel at All-Star race
NASCAR has opened an investigation into how a derogatory message was broadcast on the radio channel of Bubba Wallace’s race team during last weekend's All-Star race.
7:23PM ( 4 hours ago )
Sports
Gilbert fans 15, Mariners overpower Braves
After seeing the Atlanta Braves attack his fastball in the first inning, Logan Gilbert needed to change his strategy to keep Seattle in the game...
By Charles Odum AP Sports Writer
11:18PM ( 4 days ago )
Arcia drives in go-ahead run, Braves beat rookie Miller, Mariners
Orlando Arcia's single off the right-field wall drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh, Marcell Ozuna had three RBIs and the Atlanta Braves overcame another strong start by Seattle rookie Bryce Miller to beat the Mariners 6-2 on Friday night...
By Charles Odum AP Sports Writer
10:37PM ( 5 days ago )
Braves blast five 2-run HRs in rout of Rangers
Kevin Pillar and Ronald Acuña Jr. each hit a two-run homer in the second inning, spoiling Cody Bradford’s big league debut as the Atlanta Braves routed the Texas Rangers 12-0 on Monday night in an interleague matchup of division leaders...
By The Associated Press
7:30AM ( 1 week ago )
Toronto's sweep of Atlanta just the latest flex for dominant AL East
Matt Chapman came sliding across the plate, touching off a wild celebration in Toronto after the Blue Jays completed a three-game sweep of Atlanta. It was yet another moment of excellence for the AL East, which could be headed to a historic season...
By Noah Trister AP Sports Writer
7:15AM ( 1 week ago )
Bichette stars as Blue Jays win 5-2; Braves drop 1st road series
Bo Bichette singled home the tiebreaking run in the seventh inning and finished 2 for 4 with two RBIs as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Atlanta Braves 5-2 on Saturday.
By Ian Harrison AP Sports Writer
8:03PM ( 1 week ago )