Live-Blogging: 2021 NLCS Game 3-Atlanta Braves at Los Angeles Dodgers

NLCS Game 3: Atlanta Braves at Los Angeles Dodgers

Hello, and welcome to another edition of ‘Live-Blogging Shish on Baseball’. Tonight, it is Game 3 of the National League Championship Series, between Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Braves have took the first two games of this series by way of walk-off hits. They were more successful at scoring with runners in scoring position (RISP). They are 3-for-7 when runners are on 2nd and 3rd bases.

The same cannot be said for Dodgers. They are 2-18 with RISP, in this series. This feast or famine lineup, is currently having a famine. But now they hope the home crowd can help them even the Series and send it back to Atlanta.

Tonight’s Starting Pitchers are a pair of right-handers. Charlie Morton will start for the Braves. While Walker Buehler will start for the Dodgers. Morton comes in with strikeout/walk ratio (K/BB) of 7.00, a 3.95 pitches/plate appearance (P/PA), and a 1.80 groundout/airout (GO/AO). As for Buehler, he come in with a K/BB ratio of 3.00, 3.95 P/PA, and 0.69.

It is Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 3 of National League Championship Series, coming up shortly.


Starting Lineups:
Atlanta Braves:
1. Eddie Rosario, LF
2. Freddie Freeman, 1B
3. Ozzie Albies, 2B
4. Austin Riley, 3B
5. Joc Pederson, RF
6. Adam Duvall, CF
7. Travis d’Arnaud, C
8. Dansby Swanson, SS
9. Charlie Morton, P

Los Angeles Dodgers:
1. Mookie Betts, RF
2. Corey Seager, SS
3. Trea Turner, 2B
4. Will Smith, C
5. Justin Turner, 3B
6. Gavin Lux, CF
7. Cody Bellinger, 1B
8. Chris Taylor, LF
9. Walker Buehler, P

Braves are in their traveling gray uniforms, navy caps and white 'A' on the hat. While the Dodgers are in their home white uniforms, blue caps with white 'LA'  on the hat. 


Top of 1st Inning:
Due Up:
1. Rosario
2. Freeman
3. Albies
Walker Buehler (RHP) now starting as Dodgers Pitcher.
​First Pitch around 4:10 pm CDT.
Rosario hits a lead-off single to right center field (3 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Freeman singles to left field (4 pitches). Rosario advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
DOUBLE PLAY: Albies lines into 8-6 double play (1 pitch). Runner on 1st. 2 outs.
Riley strikes out swinging (5 pitches). 3 outs.
Braves strand a base runner.


Middle of 1st Inning:
ATL 0, LAD 0

Bottom of 1st Inning:
Due Up:
1. Betts 
2. Seager
3. T. Turner
Charlie Morton (RHP) now starting as Braves Pitcher.
Betts draws a base on balls (5 pitches). Runner on 1st.
HOME RUN: Seager hits a 2-run homer off Charlie Morton (4 pitches). Betts scores. ATL 0, LAD 2
T. Turner grounds out to Swanson (1 pitch). 1 out.
W.D. Smith strikes out swinging (5 pitches). 2 outs.
J. Turner draws a base on balls (6 pitches). Runner on 1st.
With Lux at-bat, Justin Turner advances to 2nd, on a wild pitch by Charlie Morton. Runner on 2nd.
Lux draws a base on balls (5 pitches). Runners on 1st & 2nd.
BRAVES MOUND VISIT #1: Mound Visits Remaining (MVR): ATL 4, LAD 5
Bellinger draws a bases loaded (5 pitches). 
Jesse Chavez (RHP) warming up in Braves Bullpen.
Taylor flies out to Swanson (3 pitches). 3 outs.
Dodgers scored 2 runs, off the homer by Corey Seager.


End of 1st Inning:
ATL 0, LAD 2

Top of 2nd Inning:
Due Up:
5. Pederson 
6. Duvall
7. d'Arnaud
Buehler currently at 13 pitches.
Pederson draws a base on balls (10 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Duvall flies out to Betts (6 pitches). 1 out.
DOUBLE PLAY: d'Arnaud grounds into 6-4-3 double play (5 pitches). 3 outs.
Braves side is retired.

Middle of 2nd Inning:
ATL 0, LAD 2

Bottom of 2nd Inning:
Due Up:
9. Buehler
1. Betts, 0-0, BB
2. Seager, 1-1, HR, 2 RBI
Morton currently at 34 pitches.
Buehler grounds out to Freeman, unassisted (4 pitches). 1 out.
Betts singles to right center field (4 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Seager strikes out swinging (4 pitches). 2 outs.
STOLEN BASE: With Trea Turner at-bat, Betts steals 2nd Base. Runner on 2nd.
T. Turner fouls out to d'Arnaud (6 pitches). 3 outs.
Dodgers strand Mookie Betts at second base.

End of 2nd Inning:
ATL 0, LAD 2

Top of 3rd Inning:
8. Swanson
9. Morton
1. Rosario, 1-1
Buehler currently at 34 pitches.
​Swanson grounds out to J. Turner (4 pitches). 1 out.
Morton gets called out on strikes (5 pitches). 2 outs.
Rosario grounds out to T. Turner (1 pitch). 3 outs.
Braves go down 1-2-3, in their half of 3rd Inning.


Middle of 3rd Inning:
ATL 0, LAD 2

Bottom of 3rd Inning:
Due Up:
4. W.D. Smith, 0-1
5. J. Turner, 0-0, BB
6. Lux, 0-0, BB
Morton currently at 52 pitches.
​W.D. Smith grounds out to Swanson (5 pitches). 1 out.
Turner strikes out swinging (5 pitches). 2 outs.
Lux draws a 2-out walk (6 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Bellinger lines out to Duvall (1 pitch). 3 outs.
Dodgers strand a base runner.

End of 3rd Inning:
ATL 0, LAD 2

Top of 4th Inning:
Due Up:
2. Freeman, 0-1
3. Albies, 0-1
4. Riley, 0-1
Buehler currently at 44 pitches (4.40 P/PA).
Freeman hits a lead-off single to left field (4 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Albies flies out to Taylor (4 pitches). 1 out.
Riley doubles to right center field, off Gavin Lux's glove as he struggles to find the ball in the LA Sky. (3 pitches). Freeman advances to 3rd. Runners on 2nd & 3rd.
RBI-SINGLE: Pederson hits an RBI-Single to right field (5 pitches). Freeman scores. Riley advances to 3rd. Runners on 1st & 3rd. ATL 1, LAD 2 
RBI-SINGLE: Duvall hits an RBI-Single to left field (2 pitches). Pederson advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd. ATL 2, LAD 2
d'Arnaud draws a bases loaded walk (4 pitches). 
DODGERS MOUND VISIT #1: MVR: ATL 4, LAD 4
Jesse Chavez (RHP) warming up in Braves Bullpen. 
RBI-SINGLE: Swanson hits an RBI-Single off Seager to left field (2 pitches). Pederson scores. Everybody moved 90 feet. Bases Loaded. ATL 3, LAD 2
Alex Vesia (LHP) warming up in Dodgers Bullpen.
Morton gets called out on strikes (4 pitches). 2 outs.
Rosario draws an RBI-Walk (4 pitches). Bases Loaded. Duvall scores. ATL 4, LAD 2
PITCHING CHANGE: Alex Vesia (LHP) replaces Walker Buehler, as Dodgers Pitcher.
​Freeman lines out to Taylor (1 pitch). 3 outs.
Braves scored 4 runs, in their half of 4th Inning.

Middle of 4th Inning:
ATL 4, LAD 2

Bottom of 4th Inning:
Due Up:
8. Taylor, 0-1
9. Vesia?
1. Betts, 1-1, BB
Morton currently at 69 pitches.
​Corey Knebel (RHP) warming up in Dodgers Bullpen.
Taylor strikes out swinging (4 pitches). 1 out.
PINCH-HITTING: Steven Souza, Junior pinch-hitting for Alex Vesia.
Souza flies out to Freeman (3 pitches). 2 outs.
Betts with a 2-out walk (7 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Seager strikes out swinging (4 pitches). 3 outs.
Dodgers strand a base runner.

​
End of 4th Inning:
ATL 4, LAD 2

Top of 5th Inning:
Due Up:
3. Albies, 0-2
4. Riley, 1-2
5. Pederson, 1-1, RBI
PITCHING CHANGE: Corey Knebel (RHP) replaces Alex Vesia, as Dodgers Pitcher.
​Albies hits a lead-off single to left field (7 pitches). Runner on 1st.
STOLEN BASE: With Riley at-bat, Albies took advantage of a breaking ball and stole 2nd Base. Runner on 2nd. 
Phil Bickford (RHP) warming up in Dodgers Bullpen.
Riley draws a base on balls (5 pitches). Runners on 1st & 2nd.
Pederson flies out to Lux (4 pitches). Albies moves to 3rd. Runners on 1st & 3rd.
PITCHING CHANGE: Phil Bickford (RHP) replaces Corey Knebel, as Dodgers Pitcher. Runners on 1st & 3rd. 1 out. ATL 4, LAD 2
​RBI-SINGLE: Duvall hits an RBI-Single to left center field (3 pitches). Albies scores. Riley advances to 3rd. Runners on 1st & 3rd. ATL 5, LAD 2
Justin Bruihl (LHP) warming up in Dodgers Bullpen.
DOUBLE PLAY: d'Arnaud grounds into 5-4-3 double play (3 pitches). 3 outs.
Braves scored a run, but strand Austin Riley at third base.


Bottom of 5th Inning:
ATL 5, LAD 2

Bottom of 5th Inning:
Due Up:
3. T. Turner, 0-2
4. W.D. Smith, 0-2
5. J. Turner, 0-1
​Morton currently at 87 pitches.
T. Turner grounds out to Riley (3 pitches). 1 out.
W.D. Smith single to right field (2 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Jesse Chavez (RHP) and A.J. Minter (LHP) warming up in Braves Bullpen.
DOUBLE PLAY: J. Turner grounds into 4-3 double play (4 pitches). 3 outs.
Dodgers side is retired.

End of 5th Inning:
ATL 5, LAD 2

Top of 6th Inning:
Due Up:
8. Swanson, 1-2
9. Morton?
1. Rosario, 1-2, RBI
Bickford currently at 6 pitches.
A.J. Minter (LHP) warming up in Braves Bullpen.
Swanson hits a lead-off single to right field (7 pitches). Runner on 1st.
PITCHING CHANGE; Justin Bruihl (LHP) replaces Phil Bickford, as Dodgers Pitcher. Runner on 1st. ATL 5, LAD 2
​PINCH-HITTING: Johan Camargo pinch-hitting for Charlie Morton.
Camargo strikes out swinging (5 pitches). 1 out.
Rosario strikes out on a foul tip caught by Will D. Smith (5 pitches). 2 outs.
Joe Kelly (RHP) warming up in Dodgers Bullpen.
Freeman hits a 2 out single to left field (4 pitches). Runner on 1st.
DODGERS MOUND VISIT #2: MVR: ATL 4, LAD 3
PITCHING CHANGE: Joe Kelly (RHP) replaces Justin Bruihl, as Dodgers Pitcher. Runners on 1st & 2nd. 2 outs. ATL 5, LAD 2
​Albies strikes out swinging (6 pitches). 3 outs.
Braves strand a pair of base runners.

Middle of 6th Inning:
ATL 5, LAD 2

Bottom of 6th Inning:
Due Up:
6. Lux, 0-0
7. Bellinger, 0-1
8. Taylor, 0-2
PITCHING CHANGE: A.J. Minter (LHP) replaces Charlie Morton, as Braves Pitcher.
​PINCH-HITTING: A.J. Pollock pinch-hitting for Gavin Lux.
Pollock flies out to Duvall (2 pitches). 1 out.
Evan Phillips and Tony Gonsolin (Both RHPs) warming up in Dodgers Bullpen.
Bellinger strikes out swinging (4 pitches). 2 outs.
Tyler Matzek (LHP) and Jesse Chavez (RHP) warming up in Braves Bullpen.
Taylor hits a 2-out single to left center field (6 pitches). Runner on 1st.
PINCH-HITTING: Albert Pujols pinch-hitting for Joe Kelly. 
Pujols strikes out on a foul tip caught by Travis d'Arnaud (4 pitches). 


End of 6th Inning:
ATL 5, LAD 2

Top of 7th Inning:
Due Up:
4. Riley, 1-2
5. Pederson, 1-2, RBI
6. Duvall, 2-3, 2 RBI
PITCHING CHANGE: Evan Phillips (RHP) replaces Joe Kelly, as Dodgers Pitcher.
Astros/Red Sox in Game 4, Coming Up Shortly 
DEFENSIVE SWITCHES: AJ Pollock stays in the game, playing left field. While Chris Taylor moves from left to center field. 
Riley strikes out swinging (4 pitches). 1 out.
Pederson singles to left field (4 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Duvall gets called out on strikes (4 pitches). 2 outs.
Tyler Matzek (LHP) warming up in Braves Bullpen.
d'Arnaud flies out to Betts (5 pitches). 3 outs.
Braves strand a base runner. 

Middle of 7th Inning:
ATL 5, LAD 2

Bottom of 7th Inning:
Due Up:
1. Betts, 1-1, 2 BB, SB
2. Seager, 1-3, HR, 2 RBI
3. T. Turner, 0-3
PITCHING CHANGE: Tyler Matzek (LHP) replaces A.J. Minter, as Braves Pitcher.
Betts pops out to Freeman (3 pitches). 1 out.
Seager strikes out swinging (4 pitches). 2 outs.
T. Turner strikes out swinging (6 pitches). 3 outs.
Dodgers go down 1-2-3, in their half of 7th Inning.


End of 7th Inning:
ATL 5, LAD 2

Top of 8th Inning:
Due Up:
8. Swanson, 2-3, RBI
9. Matzek?
1. Rosario, 1-3, RBI
Phillips currently at 17 pitches.
NBA Scores:
Luke Jackson (RHP) warming up in Braves Bullpen.
Swanson strikes out swinging (5 pitches). 1 out.
PINCH-HITTING: Ehire Adrianza pinch-hitting for Tyler Matzek.
Adrianza grounds out to Bellinger, unassisted (3 pitches). 2 outs.
Rosario draws a 2-out walk (4 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Tony Gonsolin (RHP) warming up in Dodgers Bullpen.
Freeman draws a base on balls (5 pitches). Rosario advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
PITCHING CHANGE: Tony Gonsolin (RHP) replaces Evan Phillips, as Dodgers Pitcher.
Albies lines out to diving Taylor (2 pitches). 3 outs.
Braves strand a pair of base runners.

Middle of 8th Inning:
ATL 5, LAD 2

Bottom of 8th Inning:
Due Up:
4. W.D. Smith, 1-3
5. J. Turner, 0-2
6. Pollock, 0-1
PITCHING CHANGE: Luke Jackson (RHP) replaces Tyler Matzek, as Braves Pitcher.
W.D. Smith hits a lead-off single to right field line (2 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Brusdor Graterol (RHP) warming up in Dodgers Bullpen.
NHL Scores:
J. Turner pops out to Albies (8 pitches). 1 out.
Pollock singles to center field (4 pitches). W.D. Smith advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd. 
Blake Treinen joins Brusdar Graterol (Both RHPs) warming up in Dodgers Bullpen.
HOME RUN: Cody Bellinger hits a 3-run homer off Luke Jackson (4 pitches). Smith and Pollock score. ATL 5, LAD 5
​BRAVES MOUND VISIT #2: MVR: ATL 3, LAD 3
Taylor singles to left field (1 pitch). Runner on 1st.
PINCH-HITTING: Matt Beaty pinch-hitting for Tony Gonsolin. 
PITCHING CHANGE: Jesse Chavez (RHP) replaces Luke Jackson, as Braves Pitcher. Runner on 1st. 1 out. ATL 5, LAD 5
Kenley Jansen joins Blake Treinen (Both RHPs) warming up in Dodgers Bullpen.
STOLEN BASE: With Beaty at-bat, Taylor steals 2nd Base. Runner on 2nd.
Beaty grounds out to Albies (6 pitches). 2 outs.
RBI-DOUBLE: Betts hits an RBI-Double to right field (1 pitch). Taylor scores. Runner on 2nd. ATL 5, LAD 6
Braves elect to intentionally pass on Corey Seager.
Kenley Jansen is the only Dodger Pitcher warming up in the Bullpen.
T. Turner hits an single to infield grass (6 pitches). Bases Loaded.
Drew Smyly (LHP) warming up in Braves Bullpen.
W.D. Smith pops out to Swanson (3 pitches). 3 outs.
Dodgers scored 4 runs, including a 3-run homer by Cody Bellinger.


End of 8th Inning:
ATL 5, LAD 6

Top of 9th Inning:
Due Up:
4. Riley, 1-3
5. Pederson, 2-3, RBI
6. Duvall, 2-4, 2 RBI
PITCHING CHANGE: Kenley Jansen (RHP) replaces Tony Gonsolin, as Dodgers Pitcher.
​Riley gets called out on strikes (6 pitches). 1 out.
Pederson strikes out swinging (5 pitches). 2 outs.
Duvall strikes out swinging (6 pitches). 3 outs.
Braves go down 1-2-3, to end Game 3.

Final:
ATL 5, LAD 6
ATL leads NLCS 2-1.
W: Gonsolin (1-0)
L: Jackson (0-1)
SV: Jansen (1)
PoG: Bellinger (LAD) 1-3, HR, 3  RBI
ToG: 4:14

Final Thoughts:
This is game that was won by a defending champion. It looked Dodgers were one game away from being dethroned as World Series Champions. But Will D. Smith led off the Bottom of 8th Inning, with  with single. And 3 batters later, Cody Bellinger hits a game-tying 3-run homer off Luke Jackson. And then, Mookie Betts gives Kenley Jansen and the Dodgers with a game-winning double, scoring Chris Taylor. 

For the Braves, it was a gut-punch. They went from 5 outs away from being up 3-0, to only up 2-1. Now they have a Bullpen Day, Tomorrow Night. While Julio Urias; the league's only 20-game winner, starting for Los Angeles.

This is Paul Shishkoff, Junior. This has been 'Live-Blogging Shish on Baseball'. Thanks for visiting this page.