Riley HR in 9th leads Braves past Dodgers 5-1 in NLCS opener
(AP Photo/Eric Gay)ARLINGTON, Texas – Atlanta Braves fans were still doing tomahawk-chop chants as they filed out of the stadium, real people who replaced the cardboard cutouts players got so accustomed to this season. One game, but a big boost for the Braves in their first National League Championship Series since 2001. “It was awesome — fun to play in front of fans again,” Braves slugger Freddie Freeman said. Riley became the youngest player with a go-ahead homer in the ninth inning of a postseason game or later since Braves star Chipper Jones in 1995. Dodgers: Kershaw, the ace lefty from nearby Dallas, has 19 strikeouts in his two starts this postseason — both wins.
LEADING OFF: Dodgers' Roberts back for Arizona's home opener
FILE - In this July 8, 2020, file photo, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts pulls down his mask to talk to someone in the dugout during an intrasquad baseball game in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)A look at what's happening around the majors today:ROBERTS RETURNSLos Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts will be back from a one-game suspension when the defending NL West champions visit Arizona for the Diamondbacks home opener. Major League Baseball suspended Roberts one game and Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly eight games on Wednesday, the day after benches cleared in the sixth inning of Los Angeles 5-2 victory at Houston. Astros manager Dusty Baker drew an undisclosed fine. We are going to evaluate him today and tomorrow to see what exactly is going on, Rangers manager Chris Woodward said.