The Los Angeles Dodgers will stay to combat one other day.

Behind a dramatic three-run residence run by catcher Will Smith — which appropriately got here towards Atlanta Braves reliever Will Smith — and 7 sturdy innings from their beleaguered bullpen, the Dodgers averted elimination with a 7-Three win in Sport 5 of the Nationwide League Championship Collection.

Closing out the 2020 LCS has confirmed to be fairly a activity. Earlier on Friday, the Houston Astros compelled a Sport 7 within the ALCS after falling behind the Tampa Bay Rays 3-0. The Dodgers — now down 3-2 within the NLCS — will look to do the identical in Sport 6 on Saturday.

Atlanta knocked out Dodgers starter Dustin Could after plating single runs within the first and second innings. Travis d’Arnaud opened the scoring with a sacrifice fly that scored Freddie Freeman. Rookie Cristian Pache singled residence Dansby Swanson for Atlanta’s second run.

Dodgers power Sport 6 in NLCS after beating the Braves. (Picture by Cooper Neill/MLB Images by way of Getty Photos)

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From there, a parade of Dodgers’ relievers — six in whole — held Atlanta’s high-powered offense in verify. Of observe, struggling nearer Kenley Jansen struck out the aspect in an ideal ninth inning.

The Dodgers offense bought off to a slower begin towards Braves “starter” A.J. Minter. The 27-year-old had by no means began earlier than in 139 MLB appearances, however appeared snug throwing three scoreless innings. As soon as Minter exited, the Dodgers scored seven unanswered runs, starting with Corey Seager’s fourth-inning solo residence run.

That set the stage for Will Smith’s game-changing swing towards Will Smith.

Los Angeles scored three extra in a considerably controversial seventh inning.

Chris Taylor tried to steal first base by appearing like he’d been hit by Jacob Webb’s pitch. The decision was overturned by replay. Taylor then doubled, setting the desk for Mookie Betts’ run-scoring single and Corey Seager’s second residence run — a two-run shot.

MUST-SEE MOMENT

Mookie Betts isn’t simply an MVP-caliber hitter. He’s an MVP-caliber defender, as evidenced by this shoestring catch to begin a important double play.

After replay evaluation, Braves runner Marcell Ozuna was dominated out for leaving the bottom too quickly. Clearly, he didn’t assume Mookie was making that play.

The second would loom massive as Atlanta missed an opportunity to increase its lead.

WHAT’S NEXT

It is on to Sport 6 Saturday (4:38 p.m. ET, FS1) because the Dodgers face one other must-win to avoid wasting their season.

Pitching-wise, there is not a lot of a call for Braves supervisor Brian Snitker. He’ll go proper again to Sport 1 starter Max Fried. The 26-year-old left-hander has set the tone for Atlanta through the postseason, posting a 2.64 ERA by three begins whereas placing out 18 batters in 17 innings. In Sport 1, Fried struck out 9 whereas limiting the Dodgers to at least one run in six innings.

Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts is predicted to begin Walker Buehler, who walked 5 batters over 5 innings within the collection opener. Value noting, Buehler has been coping with a blister concern for the final a number of weeks and it has undoubtedly impacted his effectiveness. Total, Buehler has walked 11 in three postseason begins.

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