In a dramatic finish on Sunday night, the Los Angeles Dodgers staged a spectacular seven-run rally in the ninth inning to secure a 9-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves. The crucial game saw Mookie Betts deliver a pivotal tiebreaking RBI single with two outs during the decisive ninth inning. This win was particularly significant for the Dodgers, who had been struggling, having lost six out of their last nine games before this match.
The Braves’ defeat has left them in a precarious position, tied with the Mets for the third wild-card spot in the National League with just 13 games remaining in the regular season. On the other hand, the Dodgers strengthened their position in the playoffs with this win. They now hold a two-game lead over the Brewers for the National League’s No. 2 seed and are four games ahead of the Padres in the N.L. West.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the importance of the win, remarking that while it might not be the “biggest” victory of the year, it felt particularly crucial given their recent struggles.
Shohei Ohtani, who is chasing MLB history with the pursuit of a 50-50 season, went 2-for-4 with two doubles, an RBI, and a run scored. However, he did not hit a home run or steal a base in this game, leaving him with 47 home runs and 48 stolen bases for the season.
The game’s dramatic climax unfolded in the ninth inning against Braves closer Raisel Iglesias, who had been dominant all season but faltered under pressure. Iglesias, who had not allowed an earned run in his last 35 1/3 innings, was tagged with all five runs scored in the inning, which came with two outs. The inning featured consecutive home runs by Teoscar Hernández, Tommy Edman, and Max Muncy, which ultimately sealed the Braves’ fate.
The Braves chose to intentionally walk Ohtani with two outs and a runner on third base while the score was tied 2-2, opting to face Betts instead. Betts capitalized on the opportunity, delivering a crucial hit. Roberts indicated that only two players—one of whom is Yankees star Aaron Judge and the other being Betts—would warrant an intentional walk in such a scenario.
Freddie Freeman contributed to the Dodgers’ ninth-inning explosion with a two-run single before the subsequent home runs further extended their lead. On the mound, Dodgers reliever Michael Kopech earned the win by escaping a critical jam in the eighth inning, getting key outs against Travis d’Arnaud, Orlando Arcia, and Jarred Kelenic.
Braves starter Charlie Morton pitched six solid innings, allowing just one run on three hits and two walks, while striking out six. Dodgers starter Walker Buehler also went six innings, yielding two runs—one earned—on three hits and five walks, with five strikeouts. Buehler managed to stabilize after a challenging start, finding rhythm in the later innings.
Ohtani’s double in the seventh inning tied the game 2-2, while his earlier double in the fifth brought the Dodgers closer, cutting the Braves’ lead to 2-1. This was Ohtani’s first
hit in eight at-bats in the series.
In terms of injuries, the Dodgers had a setback when catcher Austin Barnes left the game in the fourth inning due to a contusion on his left big toe. Will Smith took over behind the plate. Manager Dave Roberts indicated that Barnes might be placed on the injured list, and Hunter Feduccia from Triple-A Oklahoma City would likely be recalled to fill the roster spot.
Looking ahead, the Dodgers and Braves are set to conclude their four-game series in Atlanta. Los Angeles will start right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto (6-2, 2.88 ERA), while Atlanta will counter with left-hander Max Fried (9-9, 3.46 ERA). This final game of the series will be crucial for both teams as they navigate the final stretch of the regular season.