Bobby Miller turned in another impressive performance against the Atlanta Braves that bought the Los Angeles Dodgers offense enough time to claw out a 3-1 win and avoid being swept in the four-game series at Dodger Stadium.
The afternoon was a bit disjointed early as it featured three calls getting challenged in the first two innings, including MLB’s replay center twice upholding what appeared to be an incorrect ruling, and an inconsistent strike zone.
Miller nevertheless forged ahead as he allowed just one run, three hits, and collected five strikeouts over seven innings in the longest start of his career. Miller at one point retired 16 batters in a row.
He was aided by Jason Heyward making a sliding catch in right field for the third out of the sixth inning and to take a hit away from Ronald Acuña Jr. The Braves’ MVP candidate went 0-for-4, snapping a string of three consecutive games with a home run.
However, Miller’s streak was snapped by Matt Olson’s two-out solo home run in the seventh inning. He held the Braves to just the one run, like in his MLB debut at Truist Park on May 23.
Miller’s brilliant performance was initially matched by Charlie Morton until he ran into trouble in the fifth inning. James Outman’s leadoff walk was followed by Miguel Rojas driving a curveball to the left-center field gap for an RBI double that put L.A. ahead.
With the Braves infield drawn in, Mookie Betts’ soft liner landed at normal shortstop depth but carried over Orlando Arcia’s head and rolled into left field for an RBI single. Betts had three hits after going a combined 0-for-7 with four strikeouts and one walk since slugging two home runs in the series opener.
Morton was chased after facing the three batters in the fifth inning without record an out. He went into the start having allowed just one run over his last four outings.
Dodgers bullpen backs Bobby Miller
Shelby Miller allowed a two-out double in the eighth inning but retired Acuña to protect the Dodgers’ slim lead. Brusdar Graterol then pitched the ninth for his seventh save of the season.
Outman’s two-out RBI single in the bottom of the eighth provided Graterol with some breathing room.
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