LOS ANGELES (DA) — Curaçao’s Ozzie Albies hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning Saturday, but the Atlanta Braves fell 5-3 to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the National League Division Series.
Albies’ second home run of the postseason brought Atlanta within 2 runs before Evan Phillips secured the final out for the save. The Braves second baseman finished 1 for 3 with a walk and 2 RBIs.
Albies also hit a two-run homer Thursday when Atlanta eliminated Philadelphia in the deciding game of the Wild Card Series.
Los Angeles built its lead with 3 home runs. Teoscar Hernández opened the scoring with a two-run shot in the fourth inning. After Sean Murphy’s solo homer cut Atlanta’s deficit to 2-1 in the sixth, Kyle Tucker hit a two-run homer and Max Muncy added a solo shot in the bottom half.
Tarik Skubal earned the win, limiting the Braves to 1 run and 2 hits over 6 innings. He struck out 7 and walked 1.
Atlanta starter Dylan Dodd held Los Angeles scoreless through 3 innings, allowing 2 hits and striking out 4. The Dodgers scored twice against Mederos in the fourth and added 3 runs against AJ Smith-Shawver in the sixth.
Atlanta managed 4 hits and went 0 for 4 with runners in scoring position. Los Angeles finished with 8 hits.
The Braves entered the series after winning 5 of their 6 regular-season meetings with the Dodgers, including 2 of 3 at Dodger Stadium. Los Angeles now holds a 1-0 series lead.
Game 2 is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 4, at Dodger Stadium at 8 p.m. local time in Curaçao.