Los Angeles Dodgers Take NLDS Game 1 Behind Tarik Skubal
The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Atlanta Braves 5-3 on Saturday in Game 1 of the National League Division Series.
Skubal allowed a leadoff single to Atlanta designated hitter Drake Baldwin before retiring the next 15 batters. According to USA Today reporting, the game was played in 103-degree heat, making it the Dodgers‘ hottest postseason contest since Game 1 of the 2017 World Series.
Fastball Velocity and Heatwave Conditions at Dodger Stadium
Game temperature reached 100 degrees Fahrenheit by the first pitch and continued to rise throughout the afternoon due to an El Niño-fueled heat wave, sports.yahoo.com reported. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts noted postgame that a 1 p.m. local start time was locked in after the San Diego Padres swept the Chicago Cubs in the wild card series.
Skubal threw his hardest pitch of the afternoon in the second inning, clocking in at 101.1 mph. The left-hander joked after the game that his velocity spike was an attempt to match the weather. Skubal retired 15 straight hitters before Atlanta catcher Sean Murphy hit a solo home run in the sixth inning to cut the Dodgers’ lead to 2-1.
Late Inning Escapes and Offensive Support
Skubal escaped the jam by inducing a flyout to left field from slugger Matt Olson on a 99.7-mph fastball.
Teoscar Hernández provided crucial run support for Los Angeles in the fourth inning by hitting a 431-foot, two-run home run off relief pitcher Victor Mederos. The blast broke a scoreless tie against Atlanta starter Dylan Dodd, who pitched three scoreless innings in his first major league appearance since 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many pitches did Tarik Skubal throw in Game 1?
Tarik Skubal threw 94 pitches over six innings of work, recording seven strikeouts and allowing just one run.
What temperature was recorded during the game?
The thermometer reached 100 degrees Fahrenheit at the first pitch and climbed to 103 degrees during the afternoon, according to USA Today.
Who scored the first runs for the Los Angeles Dodgers?
Teoscar Hernández drove in the game’s first runs with a two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning off Atlanta reliever Victor Mederos.
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