Braves lean on Kerr, Fuentes in lieu of Sale, win NLDS Game 2
ESPN • • sports
Key Points:
- Ray Kerr and Didier Fuentes, initially unlikely heroes, combined to pitch 19 outs in the Atlanta Braves' 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2 of the NLDS, helping the Braves even the series on the road.
- Kerr, a minor league journeyman recovering from Tommy John surgery, started unexpectedly after Braves ace Chris Sale was used in the wild-card series and was unavailable to start Game 2.
- Kerr delivered eight outs with strong command, while Fuentes, a 20-year-old reliever, pitched nearly four innings with a fastball, slider, and splitter, retiring nine consecutive batters before giving up a ninth-inning home run.
- The Braves' bullpen strategy was forced by a thin rotation and heavy bullpen usage, but their relievers held the star-studded Dodgers lineup to just two runs, securing a crucial split before the series shifts back to Atlanta.
- Braves manager Walt Weiss emphasized trust in the bullpen and expressed optimism about having Chris Sale available for upcoming games as the Braves aim to close out the series at home.
