Dodgers vs. Braves recap: How L.A. won the NLDS

The Dodgers advanced to the NLCS by defeating the Atlanta Braves in four games. A recap:

Game 1, Dodgers 6, at Atlanta 1:

Clayton Kershaw’s command was somewhat off at the beginning of the game, but he righted the ship in the middle innings and struck out 12 Braves in seven innings. Meanwhile, the Dodgers scored two in the second and two in the third off of Atlanta ace Kris Medlen and cruised to a victory. Player of the game: Kershaw (seven innings, three hits, one earned run, 12 strikeouts).

Game 2, at Atlanta 4, Dodgers 3:

The Braves led, 2-1, going into the bottom of the seventh when Chris Withrow came on in relief of Zack Greinke and gave up a walk and a single. After a bunt and a strikeout, runners were at second and third with two out. Paco Rodriguez came in to face Jason Heyward and gave up a two-run single, putting the game out of reach. Player of the game: Heyward.

Game 3, at Dodgers 13, Atlanta 6:

It was nervous early but a laugher late. Dodgers starter Hyun-Jin Ryu gave up four runs in three innings, but Atlanta’s pitchers fared worse. The Dodgers had 14 hits, including home runs by Juan Uribe and Carl Crawford, and led, 10-4, after four innings. Chris Capuano shut down the Braves with three hitless innings. Player of the game: Hanley Ramirez (3 for 4, three runs, two runs batted in, double, triple).

Game 4, at Dodgers 4, Atlanta 3:

Don Mattingly made a controversial decision before the game, starting Kershaw on three days’ rest. It worked, though. Kershaw didn’t give up an earned run in six innings. Adrian Gonzalez made a costly error to give the Braves two runs, and Atlanta, leading 3-2 in the bottom of the eighth, looked like it would force a Game 5. Uribe’s two-run homer turned it around and the Dodgers advanced to the NLCS for the first time since 2009. Carl Crawford had two solo homers for the Dodgers. Player of the game: Uribe.442