Keys to Victory


Sunday night's Dodgers-Braves game was nearly everything a seventh and deciding game of a post-season series should be: maximum drama, big moments, and clutch performances.

Well, not quite everything... since the game wasn't at Dodger Stadium or Truist Park, but on neutral ground at Globe Life Field in Arlington. But that's a product of it being 2020. Maybe a little natural sunshine would have sweetened the atmosphere, but we can blame TV and the commissioner's office for that.

Did you get a sense that momentum shifted with Mookie Betts' leaping 5th inning catch that robbed Freddie Freeman of a home run that would have extended the Braves' lead? Just connect the dots as the evening continued.

Trailing 3-2 in the 6th inning, Enrique ("Kike") Hernandez was the first to step up... his pinch hit, solo home to left center off Atlanta's A.J. Minter tied the score and put the spark back in the L.A. dugout.

Then it was Julio Urias' turn to sparkle.  Primarily a starter during his career, Dave Roberts turned this tie game over to him in the top of the 7th -- and was rewarded with a perfect outing: three up and three down in the 7th, 8th and 9th innings.

The 7th inning also produced Cody Bellinger's moment: a tie-breaking, two-out solo homer off Chris Martin to put the Dodgers ahead to stay. A 4-3 game seven win sending L.A. to their third World Series in the last four seasons and showdown with the Rays as the World Series begins Tuesday night.


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