Joctober continues as Braves take 2-1 lead in NLDS

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For a game that began a lot like Game 1 back on Friday, the Braves once again found a way to come through.

Starter Ian Anderson took the bump on Monday and did his best to match the work done by both Charlie Morton and Max Fried in the two games prior. Matching his counterpart Freddy Peralta almost stride for stride, Anderson pitched around just a pair of singles through the first four frames before running into a bit of trouble in the fifth.

The young Braves righty hit lead-off hitter Luis Urias and gave up a double to Omar Narvaez, but following a wise mound visit by the Atlanta pitching coach, Anderson worked his way through the rest of the Brewers lineup in order. 

Peralta was out for the Braves half of the fifth, and it proved to be a costly inning for the Brewers. Reliever Adrian Houser surrendered back-to-back singles by both Travis d’Arnaud and Dansby Swanson, and with Atlanta’s offense threatening, manager Brian Snitker decided to call it a game for Anderson as well.

Good call, Snit! After working a 1-2 count, a pinch-hitting Joc Pederson ambushed a fastball up in the zone by Houser for a three-run homer. Just like that, the Braves were up 3-0 — Joctober strikes again.

 

The game then turned to the Atlanta bullpen, and though Milwaukee put a few runners on the base paths, the Braves relief core again kept things right where they were. 

Jesse Chavez worked a perfect sixth, and Tyler Matzek pitched around a double in the seventh, before Luke Jackson made it a bit interesting by surrendering a lead-off walk to Jace Peterson and a one-out single off the bat of Willy Adames. But a clutch double play by Swanson got the Braves reliever off the field and within three outs of a crucial victory.

 

Other than a lead-off double by Ozzie Albies, Atlanta’s offense went down rather quietly in the eighth, setting up what appeared to be a pretty easy assignment for closer Will Smith. And thankfully, it was. Smith got Avisail Garcia to line out, Eduardo Escobar to strikeout, and finally, Luis Urias to fly out. Ball game. 

 

With the 2-1 series lead, the Braves are in an excellent position for tomorrow as they go for the NLDS win. Morton may get the call again, or Atlanta may opt for a bullpen game with it being an elimination game. We’ll find out as it gets closer to time.

Tuesday’s Game 4 is scheduled for 5:07 PM (ET).

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Photographer: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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