The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Atlanta Braves 4-1 in Game 4 of the National League Division Series at Truist Park on Wednesday night, clinching the best-of-five series 3-1 and advancing to their third consecutive NL Championship Series as their chase for a historic three-peat continues.Pagés and Muncy deliver the knockout
With the game tied 1-1 in the seventh inning, Andy Pagés broke it open with a two-run, bases-loaded single off Robert Suarez on a 3-2 pitch, driving in Teoscar Hernández and pinch-runner Tommy Edman to give the Dodgers a 3-1 lead. Max Muncy then sealed it with a solo home run in the ninth off Raisel Iglesias — his 19th career postseason home run with the Dodgers, extending his own franchise record — for the 4-1 final.
How the runs came
The Braves struck first: Michael Harris II singled, stole second, and scored in the first inning on a Tyler Glasnow wild pitch. The Dodgers equalised in the second off two Atlanta errors — Shohei Ohtani walked, stole second, advanced on catcher Sean Murphy's errant throw, and scored when shortstop Mauricio Dubón dropped Muncy's shallow pop-up.
Glasnow, making his first start since September 24, went 4⅔ innings with one hit, five walks and one run on 78 pitches. The bullpen took over from there: Alex Vesia, Edgardo Henriquez — who earned the win with 1⅔ scoreless innings — Tanner Scott with a perfect eighth, and Edwin Díaz with the save held Atlanta to three hits in total. Braves starter Tyler Mahle went 6⅓ innings, allowing two runs, one earned. Atlanta drew 18 walks across the series but none of those baserunners scored.
Brewers rematch awaits on Sunday
The Dodgers will face the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS — a rematch that begins on Sunday — after the Brewers eliminated the Padres in their own series. The reigning champions are seeking to become the first National League team to win three straight World Series. "We have eight more wins. Stay focused," manager Dave Roberts told the team, according to the New York Post.
Sources: TSN/AP: Dodgers eliminate Braves to reach third straight NLCS | New York Post: Dodgers beat Braves in NLDS, move closer to three-peat