In ATLANTA — On Monday, the Atlanta Braves upped their NL Division Series lead to 2-1 thanks to a 3-0 win against the Milwaukee Brewers. Joc Pederson added to his “Joctober” reputation with a three-run, pinch-hit homer.
Ian Anderson and the rest of the Braves bullpen collaborated on a five-hitter, helping their team to a 3-0 victory for the second consecutive game.
Atlanta, with the help of shortstop Dansby Swanson’s athletic defence, will host Game 4 of the NLCS on Tuesday in an effort to advance to a second consecutive NLCS.
The fifth-inning homer hit by Pederson was his second of the game and of the series. When facing Adrian Houser, both home runs were driven in as pinch hitters. Pederson has driven in four of Atlanta’s seven runs in this series, although he has only hit a single in his other at-bat (a pinch-hitting appearance).
Los Angeles Dodgers’
Pederson contributed to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ World Series victory last year with his 11 career playoff home runs. After spending the winter as a free agent, he signed with the Chicago Cubs and was eventually transferred to the Atlanta Braves in July.
The Brewers, winners of the NL Central, haven’t scored in 19 innings since winning game one of the series. As a team, they were unable to capitalise on any of their eight opportunities to score while runners were in scoring position.
For the National League East champion Braves, Anderson was outstanding, allowing just three hits over five innings while striking out six batters and not issuing a single walk. For the second time in the series, Braves closer Will Smith closed off the game with a spotless ninth inning.
Freddy Peralta, the Brewers’ starting pitcher, went four innings without allowing a run before being lifted in favour of a pinch hitter during a scoring threat in the fifth.
As the Fifth Began, Houser Allowed Singles to Travis d’Arnaud and Swanson.
At the plate for Anderson, Pederson blasted a high fastball into the outfield bleachers for a 3-0 advantage.
When Austin Riley tried to score from third on d’Arnaud’s flyball in the second, Adam Duvall made a costly error by trying to go to second from first. The Braves lost a run because Christian Yelich, playing left field, caught Duvall looking for the third out before Riley scored.
In the fourth inning, Milwaukee’s Lorenzo Cain, rushing full speed in an attempt to catch a drive by Adam Duvall, collided with the wire fence. After Cain caught the ball in his glove, he fell to the ground and dropped it. After Duvall hit a triple with two outs, Cain chose to remain on the ground.
Craig Counsell, the manager, and a trainer came to check on Cain, and he stayed in the game. For the final out of the inning, Peralta struck out Eddie Rosario.
After losing Game 2 of the series, 3-0, the Brewers’.183 hitting average continued in Game 3. Counsell made one alteration to the starting lineup, moving Luis Uras to third base from Eduardo Escobar.
After putting runners on second and third with no outs in the fifth, the Brewers were unable to score. After being hit by a pitch, Uraas advanced to third on Omar Narváez’s double.
Cain got out when Swanson dove to stop his crisp grounder and hold the baserunners before firing to first. Uras was out at third on a grounder from pinch hitter Daniel Vogelbach, and the inning ended when Kolten Wong lined out to first baseman Freddie Freeman.
Luke Jackson walked Jace Peterson and gave up a one-out single to Willy Adames, but the eighth inning ended when Swanson completed a spectacular double play.
Trip To See Bobby
Brian Snitker, manager of the Atlanta Braves, revealed on Monday that he had met with Bobby Cox, a legendary former manager of the team, on Sunday. Since having a stroke in 2019, Cox, 80, has rarely visited Truist Park.
Snitker commented, “He’s excited. His enthusiasm for the games has led to his constant viewing.
According to Snitker, Cox is “hanging in there” and the visit “was positive. Absolutely everything seemed to excite and energise him, and he was a juggernaut of energy.
