Braves Beat Dodgers 3-2 in NLDS Game 2 to Even Series

Michael Harris II Sparks Atlanta Rally

The Atlanta Braves evened the National League Division Series on Sunday night, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-2 in Game 2 behind a key performance from Michael Harris II and another strong effort from their bullpen.

Harris tripled and scored the go ahead run on a wild pitch by Dodgers reliever Kris Bubic in the fifth inning, then added an RBI double in the seventh to give Atlanta some much-needed insurance. Harris also singled in the third inning, finishing a home run shy of the cycle.

The victory tied the best-of-five series at one game apiece after the Dodgers won Game 1, 5-3. The teams had combined for five home runs in the series opener, but runs were much harder to come by in Game 2.

Braves Capitalize After Chasing Snell

Atlanta opened the scoring in the first inning when Mauricio Dubón delivered a two out, bases-loaded single against Blake Snell. Ronald Acuña Jr. scored after reaching on a single and stealing second, while Mookie Betts made a diving stop but could not make a timely throw to first.

Snell struggled to find his rhythm throughout his outing. The two time Cy Young Award winner threw 90 pitches, with only 47 going for strikes. He allowed one run and three hits while walking five and striking out five before departing with two outs in the fourth inning. Snell needed 27 pitches to get through the first inning, throwing only three more strikes than balls.

Freddie Freeman tied the game in the fourth with a two strike solo home run against Braves reliever Grant Holmes. It was Freeman’s first postseason game against his former team. Atlanta regained the lead in the fifth. After Harris ripped a two out triple his first career postseason triple Bubic’s wild pitch allowed Harris to race home and put the Braves ahead 2-1.

Atlanta Bullpen Shuts Down Dodgers

The Braves’ bullpen took control after Los Angeles threatened early. After Mookie Betts walked and Shohei Ohtani singled to begin the fifth inning, Atlanta’s relievers retired the next 14 Dodgers hitters in a row. Los Angeles stranded seven runners over the first five innings and struggled to generate another sustained rally.

Harris provided another key hit in the seventh, lining an RBI double to right field against Edgardo Henriquez with two outs to extend Atlanta’s lead to 3-1. The Dodgers finally broke through in the ninth when Max Muncy launched a two strike, two out home run off Didier Fuentes, cutting the deficit to 3-2.

Raisel Iglesias, Atlanta’s fifth reliever of the night, then came in to finish the game. He got pinch-hitter Josue De Paula to foul out to third, securing his second save of the postseason and allowing the Braves to escape with the victory.

Ohtani, a four time MVP, was held in check for the second consecutive game. He went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts. Snell was unavailable to speak with reporters after the game because he had left the ballpark due to a family emergency, according to a team spokesman.

Braves and Dodgers head to Atlanta for Game 3

With the series tied 1-1, the NLDS shifts to Atlanta for Game 3 following Monday’s travel day. Braves left-hander Chris Sale is scheduled to start Tuesday against Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto as the series moves to Atlanta.