Dodgers outhomer Braves to take series opener

LOS ANGELES — The Atlanta Braves have gotten a whole lot better since the last time they played the Dodgers way back in early June. They added all kinds of pop to the outfield to paper over the loss of Ronald Acuna Jr. earlier in the season. But, it was the Dodgers who got out of the blocks quickly on Monday night, as they smacked four home runs in the first three innings. Then, thanks to a strong quality start from Julio Urias, the Dodgers held the Braves scoreless through six innings, and then held on to win a 5-3 victory at Dodger Stadium.

Dodgers strike early with long ball

After an anemic weekend with the bats, the Dodgers were eager to put some numbers on the board early in this one. Luckily, they scored in each of the first three innings to take a lot of pressure off the offense. The first strike came in the bottom of the first, when Max Muncy pulverized a four-seamer from Braves starter Drew Smyly. The ball flew a dozen rows deep into the right field stands, and the Dodgers were out front 1-0. The Muncy home run was especially welcome, as Max had stepped to the plate working a 2-for-32 slump, and was in dire need of something to get the bat going again.

Smith gets in on the action

Somebody who was definitely not in a slump was Dodgers’ catcher Will Smith, who entered the game as hot as anybody in the game in the second half of the season. And in the Dodgers’ half of the second inning, he kept it going. With two out in the second, Smith took another Smyly fastball into the seats for a solo home run. It was Smith’s 22nd long fly of the season, and his seventh in the last 15 games. It put the Dodgers up 2-0.

Dodgers double up in the third

With the Dodgers’ starter Julio Urias dealing, the Dodgers’ hitters kept reaching the seats. In the bottom of the third, they added a couple more long balls, these two from hitters that could really use the boost. First, Mookie Betts feasted on yet another poorly placed fastball and ripped it over the left field fence for a third solo home run for the Dodgers’ night. It was a fun way for Mookie to celebrate his bobblehead night, which certainly was high on his mind. Or not. Either way, he took the opportunity on his way home to blow a kiss to his mom, who had thrown out the first pitch in this one.

Then, after AJ Pollock reached on a fielder’s choice, Corey Seager kept the home run train rolling down the tracks. He took a 3-1 pitch (for a change of pace, it was a cutter this time), and crushed it to the opposite field. The game was barely three innings old, and already the Dodgers had hit four home runs and were ahead 5-0.

Urias brilliant in victory

A well-rested Julio Urias took to the mound on Monday night, and he was working it early. Through the first four innings, Urias was perfect, and it looked like the Dodgers were cruising to an easy win. In the fifth the Braves got their first two hits, and pushed Urias a bit, but he was able to get off the hook when he retired Eddie Rosario on a grounder to the right side.

Braves get in on the homer party

Urias’s shutout made it to the sixth, but ended right there. It’s tough to completely shut down this powerful Atlanta lineup, and Urias was running out of gas a bit. Jorge Soler muscled a pitch over the right field fence, which was quickly followed by a Freddie Freeman solo shot to make the score 5-2. This made the decision for Dave Roberts a pretty easy one and Urias was lifted for a pinch hitter in the bottom of the sixth. The final line on a very successful night for Dodger lefty: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 7 K.

Bickford, Knebel, and Treinen take it home

With nine outs to get, Dave Roberts started with Phil Bickford to open the seventh inning. He pitched well, but Adam Duvall touched him up for another Braves solo homer to get the score to 5-3. Suddenly, the game that seemed very much into control had now ventured into bloop-and-a-blast territory.

After the Duvall shot, Corey Knebel was called on to pitch the eighth. He got Joc Pederson (yes, that Joc Pederson) to ground out to lead off, but after that things got a little hinky. Ozzie Albies hit a single, bringing up Jorge Soler with one out. Albies tried to steal second, but Soler got tangled up with Will Smith on the throw and the Braves slugger was called out for interference. After a long delay for review, Albies was sent back to first, and Blake Treinen came on for the final out of the inning. He induced Freddie Freeman to ground out to Trea Turner in shallow right. The inning was over with no change to the scoreboard.

Treinen for the save

With Kenley Jansen unavailable due to his inexplicable appearance in the game on Sunday, it was up to Treinen to return to the mound for the save on Monday night. He got the first out, but gave up two straight singles after that, to make life very interesting. The next hitter was powerful Adam Duvall, who had already gone deep once that night. Representing the go-ahead run, Duvall got ahead 3-0 very quickly.

However, Treinen buckled down and started to throw darts. Duvall took a sinker down the middle for strike one, and then fouled one off to fill up the count. Then, Treinen made the pitch of the game. He buckled Duvall’s knees with a wicked slider that just barely kissed the inside corner. Strike three. Now with two outs, Treinen went right to work on pinch hitter Stephen Vogt, who went after the first pitch he saw, hitting a harmless fly ball to straightaway center for the game’s final out.

Dodgers gain one on the Giants

Finally, the Giants were kind enough to lose a game when the Dodgers won, and the good guys pulled to within a game and a half of the division leaders. With the Giants playing the NL Central top dogs the Brewers, there is definitely a chance to pick up a game or two more before heading up north on Friday. Walker Buehler is on the mound tomorrow, facing Dodger nemesis Charlie Morton. Should be a great one. Let’s do this!