Tyler Flowers, Charlie Culberson lift Atlanta Braves over LA Dodgers for 5-3 win

The Atlanta Braves smacked 14 total hits to cool off the Dodgers Saturday night and tie the series.

The Atlanta Braves pounded Alex Wood out of the game early, spraying nine hits off of him over 4.2 innings. The Braves had most of the contribution from Tyler Flowers, Freddie Freeman, and Charlie Culberson, who has had a great couple of weeks. Culberson was also presented his National League Championship ring before the game.

The Dodgers started the scoring when Max Muncy hit a solo home run off starter Anibal Sanchez.  Sanchez would go on to have a good outing against the Dodger as he went 5.1 innings and struck out five.

The Braves retaliated in the next inning when Culberson singled in Nick Markakis who doubled to lead off the inning. While these guys had most of the contribution, others like Markakis and Dansby Swanson had consistent nights as well. Markakis later would bring in a run while Swanson had two hits.

The Braves capitalized on a error in the 3rd when Dansby Swanson lined one to Forsythe who bobbled the ball. Freeman then followed with a double. The two advanced to 2nd and 3rd with a double-steal and later came home on a big double by Flowers. This gave the Braves the 3-1 lead.

Culberson followed with a liner but the ball hit Flowers, it would count as a hit for him but it ended the inning. Culberson would go 3 for 4 on the night.

He has really stepped up since Acuna’s injury and there’s proof:

Inciarte and Albies, however, are just in slumps. Both went hit-less on the night and during the 5th, Inciarte came up with 2 outs but bases loaded and he grounded to first. Hopefully they can break out of it soon with Ronald Acuna expected back next week.

Flowers came clutch again in 5th when he shot a single to right to drive in Swanson who was at third.

Game Getting A Little Too Close For Comfort

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In the bottom of the 5th, Yasiel Puig led off with a single to left. A double by Joc Pederson moved Puig over to third and he came off via grounder by Forsyth. This cut the Braves lead to 4-2.

In the 7th, Swanson had a lead-off hit of his own, a double to left center before Freeman followed up with a single. Swanson scored on the single from Markakis.

Minter continued in the 7th inning after he came in the 6th for the third out. He allowed a bloop double by Puig to lead it off. A groundout from Grandal kept Puig stationed but the one from Kiké Hernandez advanced him to 3rd. Minter then faced Forsythe and got the count to 0-2.

So with 2 outs it looked like Minter was about to pitch around the lead-off double. However, he buried the next pitch into the ground that bounced away from Flowers which allowed Puig to score. Minter would strike out Forsythe two pitches later.

Dan Winkler and Arodys Vizcaino shut the Dodgers down in the 8th and 9th to preserve the win.

Next: Are The Holes Too Big Too Patch?

The Braves had to win that game to remain tied in first with the Washington Nationals and today the Braves will look to win the series against the Dodgers. Game starts at 4:10 ET as Sean Newcomb takes the mound.