The Los Angeles Dodgers had their four-game winning streak snapped in a 5-3 loss to Max Fried and the Atlanta Braves. The teams now meet for the rubber match that will be a national broadcast for ESPN Sunday Night Baseball.
When Fried last faced the Dodgers, he spun seven shutout innings, collected eight strikeouts and allowed just two hits to earn a win at Dodger Stadium. On Saturday he allowed six hits but still turned in another strong outing against L.A.
Two of the Dodgers’ hits off Fried were from Trea Turner, who led off with a single and later doubled with one out in the sixth inning. Fried held the Dodgers without a run until Cody Bellinger’s two-out RBI single in the seventh inning.
The Braves’ Will Smith replaced Fried and promptly gave up an RBI base hit to Austin Barnes before getting through the inning. Though it wasn’t without some pressure as a Trea Turner walked to load the bases with two outs, only for Freddie Freeman to strike out.
A.J. Minter took over for Atlanta in the eighth and immediately gave up a game-tying home run to the Dodgers’ Will Smith. Justin Turner later singled and stole second base but was stranded by Trayce Thompson and Hanser Alberto, both of whom failed to produce quality at-bats and struck out.
Kenley Jansen struck out the side in the ninth to convert his 20th save of the season.
Dodgers bullpen feels effects of Daniel Hudson injury
On the day he was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City to start in place of the injured Andrew Heaney, Mitch White did his part early to keep the game scoreless before surrendering a two-run home run to Dansby Swanson in the third inning.
Swanson did not hit one Friday night, but that gave him four homers in the past four games. His latest long ball was a two-run blast due to Trayce Thompson misreading a line drive to right field that carried over his head for a leadoff double.
White ultimately was charged for three runs when Alex Vesia allowed an RBI double to Austin Riley with two outs in the fifth inning.
After the Dodgers rallied to tie the game, Brusdar Graterol stumbled in what presumably would have been a situation for Daniel Hudson if not for a torn ACL that requires season-ending surgery.
Graterol’s appearance in the eighth inning began with a leadoff double that set up Marcell Ozuna’s game-winning, two-run home run.
Are you following Dodger Blue on Instagram? It’s the best way to see exclusive coverage from games and events, get your questions answered, and more!
