NLDS Game 2: Braves vs Dodgers Live Thread

A dominant performance on the mound by Clayton Kershaw helped send the Atlanta Braves to a 3-0 loss in Game 2 of the NLDS. Kershaw fired eight shutout innings while the Braves finished with just three hits.

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Top of 9th: Dodgers 3, Braves 0

Clayton Kershaw won’t get a chance to go for the shutout as Dave Roberts elected to go with Kenley Jansen in the ninth. Jansen got pinch hitter Lucas Duda to ground out to start the inning. Acuna then lined a single to right to give the Braves a bit of hope. However, Johan Camargo popped out and Freddie Freeman struck out to end the game.

Bottom of 8th: Dodgers 3, Braves 0

Arodys Vizcaino worked a perfect eighth getting Justin Turner to fly out before striking out Max Muncy and Manny Machado. The Braves are down to their final three outs.

Top of 8th: Dodgers 3, Braves 0

Another brilliant inning for Kershaw who got Albies to line out before striking out Inciarte and Culberson to end the inning. He is now at 85 pitches through eight shutout innings.

Bottom of 7th: Dodgers 3, Braves 0

Touki Toussaint pitches around a two-out walk to Kershaw to hold the Dodgers scoreless again.

Top of 7th: Dodgers 3, Braves 0

Another quick inning for Kershaw who has now fired seven shutout innings. Freeman flew out to right to start the inning. Markakis grounded to second before Suzuki flew out to center.

Kershaw is at 73 pitches and none of them have been made with much stress.

Bottom of 6th: Dodgers 3, Braves 0

Touki Toussaint came on to pitch in the sixth for Atlanta. Toussaint struck out Machado to start the inning but then issued a walk to Puig. Puig was then thrown out while trying to pull off a delayed steal. Toussaint then struck out Bellinger to end the inning.

Top of 6th: Dodgers 3, Braves 0

The Braves got the lead off man on in the sixth against Kershaw but a double play ended their threat. Kershaw hit pinch-hitter Lane Adams to lead off the inning. Acuna then hit in a force play before Camargo grounded into a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning.

Kershaw is cruising and sitting at 60 pitches through six innings.

Bottom of 5th: Dodgers 3, Braves 0

The Dodgers extended their lead in the fifth as Yasmani Grandal drove an 0-2 pitch from Sanchez into the bleachers in right for a solo home run. Sanchez then struck out Kershaw and got Joc Pederson to ground out to second before allowing a bloop hit to Justin Turner. That would be the end of the night for Sanchez as Brian Snitker came out to remove him from the game.

Max Fried replaced Sanchez and got Max Muncy to bounce out to end the inning. Sanchez exits after allowing five hits (two homers) and three runs over 4.2 innings. He struck out three and walked one.

Top of 5th: Dodgers 2, Braves 0

The Braves finally got their second hit of the game but were still unable to put a run on the board. Suzuki began the inning with a ground out to third. Ozzie Albies then hit one back through the middle that hit Kershaw who recovered in time to retire Albies at first. Inciarte then reached on an infield single that just got past Kershaw. However, Charlie Culberson grounded into a fielder’s choice to end the inning.

Bottom of 4th: Dodgers 2, Braves 0

A diving catch by Ronald Acuna helped Sanchez escape the fourth without allowing a run. Machado grounded out to start the inning before Puig singled to left. Sanchez then got Bellinger to fly out for the second out. Puig stole second before Kike Hernandez lined a shot to left field that Acuna was able to layout for to end the inning.

Top of 4th: Dodgers 2, Braves 0

Kershaw makes it 12 up and 12 down since Acuna’s leadoff double in the first. Camargo grounded back to Kershaw to start the inning. Freeman then grounded out into the shift while Markakis flew out to left to end the inning.

Bottom of 3rd: Dodgers 2, Braves 0

Sanchez gets his first 1-2-3 inning as he retires Pederson, Turner and Muncy in order in the third. Braves are scoreless through the first 12 innings of the Division Series.

Top of 3rd: Dodgers 2, Braves 0

Another easy inning for Kershaw in the third as the Braves go down in order. Kershaw has now set down nine straight since Acuna’s leadoff double. Charlie Culberson and Anibal Sanchez grounded out to start the inning before Acuna flew out to the warning track in left.

Bottom of 2nd: Dodgers 2, Braves 0

The Dodgers got the leadoff man on base for the second straight inning as Cody Bellinger worked a walk. Sanchez then retired Kike Hernandez on an infield popup. Bellinger stole second with Yasmani Grandal at the plate but Grandal would pop up to Camargo in foul territory for the second out. Sanchez then struck out Kershaw to retire the side.

Top of 2nd: Dodgers 2, Braves 0

Nothing doing for the Braves in the second as Kershaw cruises through a six-pitch inning. Kurt Suzuki grounded out to third, Ozzie Albies popped up to second and Ender Inciarte flew out to center.

Bottom of 1st: Dodgers 2, Braves 0

Joc Pederson didn’t waste any time getting to work against Braves starter Anibal Sanchez. Pederson pulled a double just inside the bag at first for a leadoff double. Justin Turner then hit a rocket to the right side that Freeman was able to flag down to get the out at first. Pederson moved up to third on the play but Max Muncy struck out for the second out of the inning. That would bring up Manny Machado who jumped on a 3-0 cutter and hit it out to left to put Los Angeles in front 2-0. Sanchez then got Yasiel Puig to pop out in foul territory to escape with no further damage.

Top of 1st: Braves 0, Dodgers 0

Ronald Acuna Jr. got things started quickly for the Braves jumping on the first pitch he saw from Clayton Kershaw and driving it into the left-center gap for a leadoff double. He moved up to third on a groundout by Johan Camargo. That would bring up Freddie Freeman who hit a bullet to Kike Hernandez in the drawn infield for the second out of the inning. Kershaw then fought back and struck out Nick Markakis to end the threat.

Braves get their first extra-base hit of the postseason but can’t break through against the Dodgers.

Pregame

Freddie Freeman and Matt Kemp before Game 2

Pregame notes from Brian Snitker

Anibal Sanchez discusses his Game 2 start which may be the biggest game the Braves have played this season.