Braves at Dodgers
The Atlanta Braves began their 10-game road trip by sweeping a three-game series at Miami but were unable to continue their surge in the opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Atlanta attempts to get back in the win column on Tuesday as it visits Los Angeles for the middle contest of their three-game set.
Freddie Freeman belted a two-run homer and Nick Markakis added a solo shot for the Braves, who fell behind by five runs before staging a late rally that came up short and resulted in a 5-3 loss. Freeman has hit safely in five of his six games this month while Markakis has notched a hit in 12 of his last 13 contests and hasn't gone consecutive contests without one since a three-game drought from April 5-7. Chris Taylor went 2-for-4 with two RBIs in the win for the Dodgers, who were kicking off a nine-game homestand following a 3-3 road trip. Taylor has recorded four straight multi-hit performances, going 9-for-17 with two homers and six RBIs during the stretch.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Atlanta), SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves LH Max Fried (4-1, 2.11 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Hyun-Jin Ryu (3-1, 2.55)
Fried bounced back from his first loss of the season in a big way on Wednesday, limiting San Diego to one run and four hits with seven strikeouts in seven innings of a victory. The 25-year-old Californian, who began the year in the bullpen, has issued only five walks over 36 2/3 frames in six starts - none over 12 1/3 frames in his last two turns. Fried lost his lone career start against Los Angeles on July 28 despite giving up just one run on two hits and three walks in five innings.
Ryu worked a season-high eight innings in San Francisco on Wednesday but settled for a no-decision after allowing just one run and four hits. The 32-year-old South Korean has been even stingier with free passes than Fried, issuing a mere two over 35 1/3 frames in six turns - none over 15 innings in his last two outings. Ryu is 0-1 with a 2.95 ERA in three career starts against Atlanta.
WALK-OFFS
1. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced OF Cody Bellinger will not appear at first base anymore after slightly dislocating his right shoulder while playing there on Friday.
2. Atlanta RHP Kevin Gausman received a five-game suspension from the league for intentionally throwing at a player but appealed and started the series opener, surrendering five runs - three earned - on seven hits and four walks in 4 1/3 innings.
3. Los Angeles OF A.J. Pollock, who was placed on the injured list last Tuesday, is expected to miss more than six additional weeks due to a staph infection in his right elbow.