LOS ANGELES, CA – The Los Angeles Dodgers were on the ropes and it wasn’t even the end of the first inning. Right-handed starter/opener Joe Kelly served up a two-run blast to the suddenly red-hot Freddie Freeman and before the seats were warm the Atlanta Braves struck first 2-0 yet again in front of 51,000 disappointed and dejected fans.
Was this how the Dodgers season was going to end? A 106-win team that is mentally and physically fatigued, injuries piling up, and lacking an offensive spark that has been MIA for the majority of these 2021 MLB playoffs. Not to mention for the fourth time in five years, was another team going to celebrate a series win at Dodger Stadium?
(Courtesy of MLB)
Chris Taylor was not ready for the Dodgers’ season to end especially in front of the faithful fans of Los Angeles. Taylor made history becoming the 12th player all-time to hit three home runs in a playoff game joining the greats like Babe Ruth, Reggie Jackson, current teammate Albert Pujols, and former teammate Kike Hernandez who did it in Game 5 of the 2017 NLCS.
(Courtesy of MLB)
Taylor could wear the moniker of “Mr. October” for one night as he led the Dodgers to an 11-2 smack down over the Braves with his three dingers and six RBIs. The Dodgers extend their season, and give the fans something majestic to watch for perhaps the final game at Chavez Ravine this season.
In typical Taylor-fashion, he was humble about his marvelous performance which saved the Dodgers season for now.
“It’s cool; I haven’t really thought about that, it’s definitely a surreal feeling,” Taylor said. “I never thought I was going to hit three homers in a game, let alone in a postseason game. It hasn’t really sunk in.”
Taylor continues to add to a memorable October. He hit a two-run walk-off home run against the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Wild Card game to propel the Dodgers to the NLDS. He’s made fantastic catches in the outfield; he’s been one of the few consistent Dodgers hitters, and even when he’s made outs, he’s been hitting the ball hard and deep.
In essence, Taylor has been seeing the ball well in the postseason after struggling in the final month of the regular season.
He also continues to show his versatility defensively playing both left and center field, and is now being asked to take over third base for the injured Justin Turner. The man is simply an X-factor for the Dodgers in all facets and has been for the last five years.
Taylor had some help in this game from veteran AJ Pollock who’s had his struggles in October during his Dodgers’ tenure. Pollock got LA on the board with a solo shot in the second inning off of starter Max Fried, and then delivered a knockout punch in the eighth with a three-run homer.
(Courtesy of Dodger Blue)
Pollock and Taylor single-handedly led the offense with five home runs and 10 RBI’s combined.
The bullpen game was also a smashing success for the Dodgers. After Kelly gave up the early home run to Freeman, six LA relievers shut down the Braves through the next eight innings allowing just three hits, zero walks, and nine strikeouts.
While the win was impressive and that championship fight and resolve was displayed, LA still trail Atlanta 3-2 in this NLCS and will head back to Sun Trust Stadium for the final two games of this series. While some consider this deja v’u from last year’s championship series with the Braves where the Dodgers stormed back from a 3-1 deficit to clinch the NL pennant, circumstances are different.
The Braves will actually have home field advantage with a raucous crowd in a stadium where they are 4-0 this postseason, including two walk-off wins against the Dodgers.
“It’s going to be the narrative since it seems everyday it’s brought up the last couple of days. I don’t think we have a choice until we kill that narrative,” Freeman said. “We’re up 3-2 and we’re going home…it’s a great position to be in.”
