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It was only a matter of time before Kenley Jansen got in on the bullpen suckitude. He allowed two runs on three hits in the ninth inning, leading to the Atlanta Braves beating the Los Angeles Dodgers, 6-5.
Braves’ catcher Alex Jackson was the star offensively for Atlanta, going 3-for-4 with a home run and a double. However, it was Ronald Acuna Jr. who ended up winning it, as his RBI single in the ninth capped a 2-run inning. He was 2-for-5 on the night.
“We were the better team today. Maybe that won’t be the case next game, but we’ll enjoy it for now,” Jackson told the Atlanta Chronicle, which used to be the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, I’m sure.
Both teams employed openers. Luke Jackson got the worst of it for Atlanta. He allowed two runs in the first inning, while Zach McAllister only allowed one in 2/3 of an inning before leaving early due to a hamstring injury. Both bullpens were taxed pretty heavily, but Atlanta’s held out for longer.
Cody Bellinger and Chris Taylor (getting the start for Corey Seager at shortstop) each had two hits, while Austin Barnes had three RBIs to give him a total of four on the season (yikes). He had a 2-run double in the fourth off Mark Melancon to give the Dodgers a 5-3 lead. That, obviously, didn’t hold.
Following the game, the Dodgers optioned Ross Stripling to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Dustin May‘s contract was recalled to take his spot (and, presumably, will slide into the starting rotation).
The Dodgers have lost two in a row to Atlanta, as they fall to 33-27 on the season. The series finale is tomorrow. Walker Buehler will square off against Mike Foltynewicz.
