ATLANTA (AP) With one decisive move, Andy Pages sent the Los Angeles Dodgers into the National League Championship Series and turned his postseason legacy into action.
Pages drove in two runs with a bases-loaded single in the seventh inning to give Los Angeles the lead, and the Dodgers beat the Atlanta Braves 4-1 Wednesday night to win their NL Division Series.
The Dodgers won back-to-back games in Atlanta to win the best-of-five 3-1 and advance to an NLCS rematch with Milwaukee as they seek to become the first National League team to win three consecutive World Series.
The first game is Sunday in Milwaukee after the Brewers defeated the San Diego Padres with a 3-1 victory Wednesday night in Game 4 of their division series. Los Angeles swept Milwaukee in the NLCS last year.
Pages lined a Robert Suarez full throw up the middle to bring in Teoscar Hernández, who struck out starter Tyler Mahle and pinch runner Tommy Edman for a 3-1 lead. Didier Fuentes walked pinch hitters Josue De Paula and Kyle Tucker to load the bases. Edman ran for De Paula.
It was an uplifting moment for Pages, who had two hits in the series-clinching victory. A year ago, he went 4-for-51 (.078) in the postseason and lost his starting job in the outfield as the Dodgers beat Toronto in the World Series.
“I’ve been preparing every series for a while like this, giving myself an opportunity, getting a good pitch to hit,” Pages said. “And luckily I was able to put a good swing on a pitch.”
Max Muncy’s solo shot off Raisel Iglesias in the ninth extended the lead and gave the slugger 19 postseason home runs for the Dodgers, extending his franchise record.
Los Angeles right-hander Tyler Glasnow, making his first start since Sept. 24, allowed just one hit but walked five batters in 4 2/3 innings. After issuing two walks in the fifth, left-hander Alex Vesia ended the inning on a Matt Olson groundout to second base.
Mahle, a Newport Beach, Calif., native who grew up a Dodgers fan, allowed two runs — one earned — in 6 1/3 innings.
Michael Harris II hit Glasnow’s first pitch for a single before stealing second and eventually scoring from third on a wild pitch that bounced off the chest of catcher Will Smith.
The Dodgers tied it up in the second half thanks to two Atlanta errors. Shohei Ohtani walked, stole second and advanced to third on catcher Sean Murphy’s errant throw to center field. Muncy’s pop fly to shallow left field was dropped by shortstop Mauricio Dubón for another error, allowing Ohtani to score.
The missed opportunity left the Braves with 18 walks in the series, and none scored. Atlanta hitters finished 1-for-23 with runners in scoring position.
“The Dodgers had something to do with it,” manager Walt Weiss said. “They’re going for their third consecutive world championship for a reason. Their arms keep coming at you.
“But it’s the playoffs. You never know what you’re going to get. It’s very unpredictable.”
Glasnow and four relievers combined to allow just three hits. Tanner Scott pitched a perfect eighth before Edwin Díaz got three quick outs for his second save of the series. It was his second in two nights and proof that he reclaimed the closer role just in time for the Dodgers’ run to another championship.
“That’s the reason we got him,” manager Dave Roberts said. “The last two nights, that’s why we brought in a guy like Edwin Díaz. He’s one of the best finishers in the game. For him to do his best right now, that’s what you hope for, and I give him a lot of credit.”
Díaz said he had a long season while recovering from elbow surgery and a neck injury.
“I feel good,” he said. “I’m happy with what I’m doing right now. I’ve done a lot of work this season. … Those things paid off in the end. The week and a half of the season, I did my job.”
Hernández crashed into the left field wall while trying to catch Ozzie Albies’ double off Vesia in the top of the sixth. Hernández showed his head and neck when talking to an athletic trainer, but he remained in the game.
Edgardo Henriquez stranded Albies at second. Henriquez allowed one hit in 1 2/3 scoreless innings for the win.
Dodgers second baseman Miguel Rojas was held out after leaving Tuesday night’s 3-1 victory during an eighth-inning at-bat because of lower back pain. Roberts said Rojas would not be available off the bench.
Ronald Acuña Jr. started in right field for Atlanta a day after being moved to designated hitter in a late lineup change because of right knee soreness.
The Dodgers will face Milwaukee or San Diego in Game 1 of the NLCS on Sunday.
—
See the AP’s complete MLB coverage here
Copyright 2026 STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and the Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
Gn sports
