The Braves beat the Dodgers 6-5 to extend NLDS

ATLANTA – He was not quite 28-3, but again, an Atlanta team took a big lead in a decisive playoff game.

<p class = "canvas-atom web-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "But unlike their football brothers, the Braves fought back of disaster, defeat the Dodgers 6-5 Sunday night avoid eliminations in the series of divisions of the National League. It was not pretty, and it was not easy, but it was a win for the Braves, and now the series goes on to match 4 on Monday afternoon. "Data-reactid =" 23 "> But unlike their football brothers, Les Braves fought back by defeating the Dodgers 6-5 on Sunday night to avoid the playoff eliminations of the National League Division. was not beautiful and it was not easy, but it was a win for the Braves, and now The series will be contested in the fourth game on Monday afternoon.

Atlanta started their first home playoff game in half a decade, under the weight of horrific statistics. No Braves team has won a playoff series since 2001. And no team since 1921 has lost the first two games in a playoff round without scoring a single point. And during their two wins, the Dodgers scored four points in the first two rounds of the first game and two in the first run of the second game, all through home runs.

Atlanta's first goal was therefore simple: keep the Dodgers off the board to start the game. Director Brian Snitker called a beep on Friday night's return flight to Los Angeles, choosing right-handed Kevin Gausman for Sean Newcomb. The 25-year-old southpaw had already defeated the Dodgers on July 29, and Braves manager Brian Snitker was clearly hoping Mojo would ring in October.

The first two innings of Newcomb paid off Snitker's intuition. Aided by two doubles, Newcomb prevented the Dodgers from coming on the board and SunTrust Park expired in the least. For a team that played behind for all but the first three outs of both games, staying balanced was a refreshing change.

From the other dugout, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts joined rookie Walker Buehler, who in 24 games has been among the league leaders for ERA, WHIP and the slugging percentage of his opponents. He kicked off the Dodgers' crucial 163 game, throwing 6.2 scoreless and single-goal ball heats to help Los Angeles defeat the Rockies.

Buehler did not have the dart control that had characterized his rookie season. He accompanied Nick Markakis to start the second on four consecutive shots. Then, after eliminating Kurt Suzuki and Johan Camargo, Buehler gave Ozzie Albies a bloop that Dodgers center Cody Bellinger rattled. Buehler intentionally led Charlie Culberson to face Newcomb … and that's when his troubles really started.

Newcomb beat a heavy .044 this season, scoring just two hits out of 45 at the bat. If you are a pitcher, you like those chances. But also if you are a pitcher, you have to put the ball in the end zone – which Buehler did not do, throwing Newcomb on four consecutive shots to bring Markakis home.

And then Ronald Acuña Jr. spoke.

Acuña was simply amazing in this rookie season, delivering his huge promise to excess. Basics met, his first playoff match at home, his team against the wall … So Acuña naturally turned on Buehler's 98-mph four-seam machine and dropped it deep into the left seats. Acuña became the youngest player to win a playoff grand slam, eliminating 21-year-old Mickey Mantle and creating a remarkable playoff moment for a team that has a litany.

Acuña gave the Braves a five-point lead and that lead almost disappeared in the Georgia night a round later. Newcomb gave up walking to Kiké Hernandez and Chris Taylor, which was enough for Snitker to catch the hook and bring Gausman back … a decision that would have dire consequences for the Braves.

Justin Turner stood out at Hernandez and Taylor scored when Acuña sent the ball into the left field. Max Muncy walked, which put Manny Machado to the plate with a chance to freeze the game with a single stroke. Gausman managed to end this threat by hitting Machado on a splitter, but Los Angeles has not finished with him yet.

Two races later, Gausman drove Yasmani Grandal on four consecutive courses, and Taylor then led Gausman's splitter to the left-wing seats. Snitker dismissed Gausman in favor of Max Fried, and Muncy welcomed him into the match by leaning against the center of the field. And just like that, the Braves' five-point lead was gone.

Acuna ended the fifth inning catastrophic by capturing a Machado moon shot at the very top of the left wall, but the damage was done, the lead cleared, the mind shattered. Of course, the "28-3" jokes began to circulate on Twitter and the crowd of SunTrust Park became worried.

The story continues