Dodgers outlast Braves on Andy Pages’ 11th-inning walk-off single
Pages’ game-winning hit is his fourth of the night, as the Dodgers take the series opener in a matchup of two of MLB’s best teams, 4-3. Gavin Stone pitches six strong innings and Teoscar Hernandez homers.
Dodgers rookie Andy Pages, right, celebrates with teammate Teoscar Hernández after delivering a walk-off single in the 11th inning to beat the Atlanta Braves, 4-3, on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernández, left, celebrates with teammate Mookie Betts as he returns to the dugout after hitting a home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers starting pitcher Gavin Stone throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. is picked off while leading off second base by Dodgers second baseman Gavin Lux during the first inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers second baseman Gavin Lux throws to first base to force out the Atlanta Braves’ Ozzie Albies during the first inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers starting pitcher Gavin Stone throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Atlanta Braves’ Austin Riley runs the bases after hitting a home run during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Atlanta Braves’ Austin Riley, left, celebrates with teammate Matt Olson after hitting a home run during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Atlanta Braves’ Austin Riley, right, celebrates with teammate Matt Olson after hitting a home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Atlanta Braves’ Austin Riley (27) returns to the dugout after hitting a home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers starting pitcher Gavin Stone throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Charlie Morton throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani bats during the first inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani reacts after hitting a foul ball during the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Freddie Freeman gestures to the dugout after hitting a double during the first inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. spits sunflower seeds before a baseball game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers starting pitcher Gavin Stone throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Charlie Morton throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Ther Dodgers’ Andy Pages is tagged out on a throw from Atlanta Braves left fielder Jarred Kelenic to catcher Travis d’Arnaud, left, during the second inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani reacts after hitting a foul ball during the third inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani reacts after hitting a foul ball during the third inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani steals second base during the third inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani steals second base as Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies takes a late throw during the third inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani talks with Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies during the third inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani runs to score on a single hit by Will Smith during the third inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani sprints home to score a run during the third inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani sprints home to score a run during the third inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani scores on a single hit by Will Smith during the third inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, left, celebrates with left fielder Teoscar Hernández after scoring on a single hit by Will Smith during the third inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani returns to the dugout after scoring on a single hit by Will Smith during the third inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Dodgers’ Will Smith gestures to the dugout after hitting an RBI single during the third inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani celebrates in the dugout after scoring a run during the third inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers starting pitcher Gavin Stone throws to the plate during the fifth inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. takes off his gloves after the fifth inning of a game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani walks back to the dugout after striking out during the fifth inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernández celebrates as he begins to run the bases after hitting a home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernández celebrates as he runs the bases after hitting a home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers starting pitcher Gavin Stone throws to the plate during the fifth inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Atlanta Braves’ Ozzie Albies, right is forced out at second base as Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts throws to first during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Atlanta Braves’ Ozzie Albies, left, gets a hand from Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts after being forced out at second base during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Charlie Morton throws to the plate during the sixth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Atlanta Braves left fielder Jarred Kelenic catches a fly ball hit by the Dodgers’ Max Muncy during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers relief pitcher Joe Kelly throws to the plate during the seventh inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Aaron Bummer throws to the plate during the seventh inning of their game against the Dodgers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies throws to first after forcing out the Dodgers’ Andy Pages (84) during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers relief pitcher Daniel Hudson throws to the plate during the eighth inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. hits a home run during the eighth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers relief pitcher Daniel Hudson shows his frustration after giving up a home run to Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. during the eighth inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. runs the bases after hitting a home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr., left, celebrates with teammate Ozzie Albies after hitting a home run during the eighth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr., left, celebrates with teammate Ozzie Albies after hitting a home run during the eighth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. returns to the dugout after hitting a home run during the eighth inning of a game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Fans react as Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani warms up before batting during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani steps up to bat during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Atlanta Braves relief pitcher A.J. Minter throws to the plate during the eighth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani jogs to first base after drawing a walk during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani steals second base during the eighth inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani reacts after stealing second base during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani talks with Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies, right, during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers relief pitcher Evan Phillips throws to the plate during the ninth inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Joe Jiménez throws to the plate during the ninth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Atlanta Braves’ Orlando Arcia hits a sacrifice fly during the 10th inning of their game against the Dodgers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Atlanta Braves’ Luke Williams scores on a sacrifice fly hit by Orlando Arcia during the 10th inning of a baseball game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Atlanta Braves’ Luke Williams returns to the dugout after scoring on a sacrifice fly hit by Orlando Arcia during the 10th inning of a baseball game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani reacts after a strike during the 10th inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits an RBI single during the 10th inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani reacts after hitting an RBI single during the 10th inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. Chris Taylor scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani reacts after hitting an RBI single during the 10th inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. Chris Taylor scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Dodgers’ Chris Taylor returns to the dugout after scoring on a single hit by Shohei Ohtani during the 10th inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani celebrates with first base coach Clayton McCullough after hitting an RBI single during the 10th inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani dives back to first during the 10th inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers relief pitcher Michael Grove throws to the plate during the 11th inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts catches a pop fly hit by the Atlanta Braves’ Ronald Acuna Jr. during the 11th inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Dodgers’ Andy Pages singles during the 11th inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. Will Smith scored. The Dodgers won 4-3. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Dodgers’ Andy Pages singles during the 11th inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. Will Smith scored. The Dodgers won 4-3. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Dodgers’ Will Smith, right, scores on a walk-off single hit by Andy Pages during the 11th inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. The Dodgers won 4-3. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers rookie Andy Pages, right, celebrates with teammate Teoscar Hernández after delivering a walk-off single in the 11th inning to beat the Atlanta Braves, 4-3, on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Andy Pages (84) celebrates with teammate Teoscar Hernández after driving in the winning run with a single during the 11th inning of a game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. Will Smith scored. The Dodgers won 4-3. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers rookie Andy Pages, center, is mobbed by teammates and drenched with water after he hit a walk-off single to drive in the winning run in the 11th inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Andy Pages (84) leaves the field after hitting a walk-off single during the 11th inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. Will Smith scored. The Dodgers won 4-3. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Members of the California Highway Patrol during Law Enforcement Appreciation Night on Friday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES — This time around, there was no playoff seeding at stake, no MVP race to decide and no argument to settle about who is the National League’s best team as October approached.
This time, the Dodgers and Atlanta Braves met as a pair of mega-talented teams still trying to find their way in the early portion of the season and they proved to be at similar places on the journey.
In the first meeting of NL powers, it was the Dodgers who got the jump on the season series with a 4-3 victory Friday night as Andy Pages delivered a walk-off RBI single in the 11th inning. The rookie finished his first four-hit game in style.
“It’s very special to me,” Pages said through an interpreter about getting singles in each of his final four at-bats. “We know how good Atlanta is. I was just happy we got the win.”
The early anticipation for this Dodgers-Braves matchup was a far cry from the last time the teams dueled at Dodger Stadium late last season. Yet it ended up similar in many ways when the atmosphere increased as the hour grew late.
A year ago, Ronald Acuña Jr. got the jump on the Dodgers in the showdown series with an early grand slam and made a statement in an Atlanta series win that lasted through MVP voting when he was named the NL’s top player.
On Friday, it was Acuña’s home run in the eighth inning that tied the score at 2-2 and ultimately forced extra innings. Acuña entered with just one home run, although he was still in a three-way tie for most runs scored in the major leagues with 29. The Dodgers’ Mookie Betts was among the trio.
“Especially (facing) that team, the Braves … we have to play a perfect game for us to be able to get the win,” said Teoscar Hernandez, who hit a home run as the Dodgers won for the eighth time in 10 games. “But it was really important. We’re paying really good baseball right now and trying to stay focused on things we need to do and just try to keep the streak going.”
With a month left in the 2023 regular season, the Braves won three of the four games against the Dodgers in what felt like a NL Championship Series preview, only to have both teams collapse in the NL Division Series.
Acuña had his home run Friday, although fellow star Matt Olson continued his early-season slumber by going 0 for 4.
The Dodgers have their stars too, although Betts and former Brave Freddie Freeman were relatively quiet with one hit among them. On Friday, the team’s rock was Gavin Stone, who gave up one run on five hits over six innings with a walk and five strikeouts. The bullpen gave up one earned run on one hit the rest of the way.
“I think I was just getting ahead and using secondaries to kind of get soft contact and put them away,” Stone said. “A couple of innings there, especially early, I wasn’t getting ahead but (catcher Will Smith) had a really good game plan so he kind of calmed me down.
The Braves scored in the 10th inning on a sacrifice fly from Orlando Arcia, but Shohei Ohtani wiped out that run with an RBI single in the bottom of the 10th to extend the game.
Michael Grove (1-1) earned the win with a scoreless 11th inning. Pages’ game-winning bloop hit to center field came off veteran right-hander Jesse Chavez (1-1).
“Pitch by pitch your confidence grows and grows,” Pages said of the game winner that came on a full count during an eight-pitch at-bat. “You get more experience facing these pitchers and get more chances with these at-bats.”
Hernandez has been impressed with Pages, who was playing in his 15th career game.
“Watching him play, watching him develop these couple of weeks since he’s been up here, he’s a great guy and he’s always asking how to get better,” Hernandez said. “… He’s made for big moments. He’s not afraid to go out there and have success at any moment.”
Smith continued his production with an early RBI single and Hernandez hit a fourth-inning home run, to match Ohtani for top honors on the team with seven. Smith’s 25 RBIs rank second among NL catchers.
At age 40, Braves right-hander Charlie Morton was as effective as ever, giving up two runs on five hits over six innings with two walks and five strikeouts.
The lone run Stone allowed was on a home run by Austin Riley in the first inning. The Braves weren’t heard from again until Acuña went deep against right-hander Daniel Hudson.
Andy Pages ! 😎
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA)
. caught up with tonight's hero, Andy Pages after his walk-off hit against the Braves.
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA)
Dave Roberts on Andy Pages: "Every time he gets up there it seems like he takes a good at-bat, and the moment certainly doesn't get too big for him… he just rose to the occasion, it's fun to watch."
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA)
OHTANI TIES IT UP!
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA)
GET OUT BALL!! 👋 take the lead on Teoscar Hernández's homer.
