Joc Pederson HR Gives Braves Crucial Game 3 Win, 2-1 Series Lead vs. Brewers
In Game 3 of the National League Division Series, the Atlanta Braves earned a 3-0 win at home over the Milwaukee Brewers to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series.
Atlanta was led by Joc Pederson, who hit a pinch-hit three-run home run in the fifth inning to secure the victory. Braves starting pitcher Ian Anderson struck out six in five scoreless innings.
Notable Performers
Braves PH Joc Pederson: 1-for-1, three-run HR
Braves SP Ian Anderson: 5.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K's
5th Inning Costly for Brewers, Beneficial to Braves
The turning point in the game came in the fifth inning. In the top half, the Brewers got their first two batters on base as Luis Urias was hit by a pitch and Omar Narvaez followed with a double.
With runners on second and third with one out after a ground out by Lorenzo Cain, Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell made an aggressive move to pinch-hit starting pitcher Freddy Peralta with Daniel Vogelbach. Peralta had pitched four shutout innings, but Counsell decided to pull him with the opportunity to put runs on the board.
Unfortunately, the Brewers failed to do just that. Vogelbach grounded into a fielder's choice at third, and Urias was caught in a rundown. Kolten Wong lined out, and the Braves escaped without allowing a run.
Turning to the bullpen in the fifth inning probably wasn't in Counsell's original plan for Game 3. He went with Adrian Houser, who pitched two relief innings in Game 1, and things did not go well.
Houser allowed back-to-back hits by Travis d'Arnaud and Dansby Swanson. Joc Perderson was sent in to pinch-hit for starting pitcher Ian Anderson, and he delivered with a three-run homer to put Atlanta in front.
Scoring opportunities have been hard to come by in this series, so Counsell's move to pinch-hit for Peralta is understandable. But with the way Peralta was pitching, it likely would've benefited Milwaukee for him to have thrown at least one more inning.
The Brewers will have to take advantage of those opportunities with runners in scoring position if they hope to avoid elimination in Game 4 on Tuesday.
Brewers Can't Figure Out Braves Pitching
The Brewers have scored just two runs this series, with both coming in their Game 1 win in Milwaukee. After being shut out in Game 2, the Brewers couldn't get anything going once again Monday.
Anderson was sharp in his five shutout innings with six strikeouts. His changeup was working all day and frustrated Milwaukee hitters.
Anderson's performance was a continuation of the Braves' strong starting pitching throughout the NLDS.
After Anderson exited the game, the Braves bullpen continued its stellar pitching this series. After finishing the regular season with a bullpen ERA of 3.97, Atlanta's relievers have allowed no earned runs through three postseason games.
A key moment came in the top of the eighth with Luke Jackson on the mound. Pitching to Willy Adames with a runner on and one out, Jackson made two straight pitches that he thought were strikes but were called as balls by the home plate umpire. Adames connected on the next pitch for a single that moved Jace Peterson to third base.
Despite letting his frustration get to him, Jackson settled down as he was facing former NL MVP Christian Yelich. Jackson induced Yelich to ground into an inning-ending double play.
The Braves have the opportunity to send the Brewers home in Game 4, and their chances of doing so will be good if they can continue to get such strong pitching.
What's Next?
The Braves and Brewers will be back in action for Game 4 in Atlanta on Tuesday at 5:07 p.m. ET. The starting pitchers for the game have yet to be announced.
