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Written by: E. George
Published September 18, 2024 @ 1:30 PM ET
COBB COUNTY, Ga. – In a victory that shifted playoff dynamics, the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Atlanta Braves 9-0 on Monday night. The win not only showcased the Dodgers’ offensive firepower but also had significant implications for the playoff race, with Atlanta slipping out of a playoff position following the loss.
Facing his former team, Freddie Freeman played a pivotal role in the Dodgers’ win, hitting a three-run homer that was a key highlight of the game. Freeman’s hit capped a six-run seventh inning and was his 22nd home run of the season.
Reflecting on the game, Freeman noted, “When you start off a series like this at the end of the year, and you want to play well and drop the first two, to come back and respond, I thought that was big by the team.” He added, “I’ve played a long time, and that was probably one of the weirdest offensive games I’ve been a part of.”
The Dodgers’ victory was powered by a great team effort on both sides of the ball. They extended their scoreless streak to 15 innings and achieved their 13th shutout of the season.
Their pitching was exemplary, with Max Fried (9-10) on the mound for the Braves, giving up three runs and two hits over six innings. Fried struggled early, including a run-scoring wild pitch in the first inning, which set the tone for the game.
Offensively, the Dodgers capitalized on seven walks, a hit batter, and a wild pitch to orchestrate their nine-run performance on just four hits. This was the second time since 1906 that the Dodgers scored nine runs on only four hits, with the previous instance occurring on June 4, 2021, also at Atlanta.
Miguel Rojas had a notable game, going 1 for 1 with two walks, a steal, and three runs scored. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised Rojas, stating, “He really exemplifies what I expect in a ballplayer. Tonight, he won a ballgame for us.”
The Braves’ offensive struggles were stark, as they were 0 for 12 with runners in scoring position and 0 for 10 against Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who allowed four hits and two walks in four innings of work. After returning from a right arm injury, Yamamoto’s performance was a positive sign, with Dodgers manager Dave Roberts noting, “We’ve tried to take our time with him and make sure he is at full health and built him up the right way.”
Roberts continued, “It is a shot in the arm, and he knows how valuable he is to our club. These last two starts, I feel like we have a good foundation, and we are almost to the point where we can just let him go.”
The loss was costly for the Braves, who now find themselves one game behind the New York Mets (82-68) for the National League’s third wild card spot. This game was a stark contrast to the Braves’ earlier successes in the series, having lost the first two games by a combined score of 16-3.
In terms of roster updates, the Dodgers placed catcher Austin Barnes on the 10-day injured list with a left big toe fracture, recalling Hunter Feduccia from Triple-A Oklahoma City as a replacement. Additionally, right-hander Joe Kelly, who has been dealing with right shoulder inflammation, rejoined the team and could be activated during their upcoming series in Miami.
For the Braves, there is a glimmer of hope as second baseman Ozzie Albies is scheduled to play for Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday and Wednesday. If he performs well, Albies could return to the Braves lineup in Miami later this week.
As the season nears its end, the Dodgers (89-61) maintained a comfortable 3.5-game lead over second-place San Diego in the NL West, showing their ability to bounce back and dominate when needed. Meanwhile, the Braves face a critical stretch as they work to secure a playoff berth amidst a tight race in the National League.