LOS ANGELES – Andy Pages had a walk-off single in the 11th inning for his fourth hit of the game and the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Atlanta Braves 4-3 on Friday night.
Gavin Stone pitched well and Teoscar Hernandez scored in a matchup between two of the best teams in baseball. Austin Riley and Ronald Acuna Jr. were honored by the Braves.
With Will Smith at second base in the 11th, Atlanta manager Brian Snitker intentionally walked Max Muncy. Teoscar Hernandez hit a fielder’s choice and Pages, who battled Jesse Chavez (1-1) for the full count in a hit that lasted eight pitches.
“I was very happy to be able to do this,” Pages said through an interpreter. “My first career walk and just to be able to help the team win.”
Michael Grove (1-1) got the win, retiring the team at 11. Orlando Arcia hit a sacrifice fly in the 10th inning for Atlanta to score Luke Williams at second.
The Dodgers responded in the bottom of the 10th. Shohei Ohtani singled to center field to score Chris Taylor at second. Ohtani went 1 for 2 with two walks and a stolen base, his seventh of the season.
Stone pitched six strong innings and allowed just one run. He struck out five and allowed five hits. The 25-year-old Stone, who made just eight starts in his first year in the majors last season, is progressing through the Dodgers’ rotation, especially with Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, Dustin May and Bobby Miller injured.
“Very different,” Stone said of his game this year compared to last year against the Braves. “I’m a lot more confident on the mound and a lot more confident in my pitching. Yes, just very different.
Charlie Morton allowed two earned runs in six innings, scattering five hits and striking out five. Riley scored in the first inning, a 449-foot solo shot to left field, which was his third of the season and first since April 7.
Two batters earlier, Acuna, who has struggled offensively this season, was singled to short center field but was later picked off at second base. While trying to return to second, he stumbled and limped his right foot back to the dugout, but remained in the game and scored in the eighth inning to tie it at 2. In the third inning, Smith hit a run-scoring single. score Ohtani to equalize. Teoscar Hernandez hit a solo home run to right field in the fourth inning. It was Hernandez’s seventh home run of the season.
“Watching (Pages) play, watching him develop in these weeks since he’s been here, he’s a great guy and he’s always asking how to get better,” Hernandez said. “I’m just trying to be a better player, even better. And today he showed it. He was made for big moments. He’s not afraid to go out there and be successful at any time.”
In the second inning, Jarrad Kelenic made a great throw from left field, an absolutely perfect dart to catcher Travis d’Arnaud, to hit Pages at home plate. Acuna could be turning a corner in his struggles, perhaps gaining momentum from that home run.
“He’s still fine. He’s adding a lot to what we’re doing,” Snitker said before the game. “He’s scoring a lot of runs and making plays. He got some hits the other day. He’ll be fine.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Braves: C Sean Murphy (oblique strain) is starting to swing the bat and doing catching drills, according to Snitker.
Dodgers: LHP Clayton Kershaw (left shoulder) played ball with Walker Buehler on Friday and threw his first bullpen since surgery six months ago… RHP Bobby Miller (right shoulder inflammation) threw out the mound… RHP Walter Buehler (right shoulder surgery) Tommy John) will make his first start in nearly two years on Monday against the Marlins.
NEXT
Braves RHP Bryce Elder (1-0, 1.50 ERA) makes his third start of the season on Saturday, facing Dodgers RHP Tyler Glasnow (5-1, 2.72 ERA).
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