Pages delivers go-ahead single in
7th as Dodgers beat Braves 4-1 to clinch NL Division Series
[October 08, 2026]
By CHARLES ODUM
ATLANTA (AP) — With one pivotal swing, Andy Pages sent the Los
Angeles Dodgers into the National League Championship Series and
transformed his postseason legacy.
Pages drove in two runs with a bases-loaded single in the seventh
inning to give Los Angeles the lead, and the Dodgers beat the
Atlanta Braves 4-1 on Wednesday night to clinch their NL Division
Series.
The Dodgers won back-to-back games in Atlanta to take the
best-of-five matchup 3-1 and advance to an NLCS rematch with
Milwaukee as they seek to become the first National League team to
win three straight World Series.
Game 1 is Sunday in Milwaukee after the Brewers finished off the San
Diego Padres with a 3-1 victory Wednesday night in Game 4 of their
Division Series. Los Angeles swept Milwaukee in the NLCS last year.
Pages lined a full-count pitch from Robert Suarez up the middle to
drive in Teoscar Hernández, who singled off starter Tyler Mahle, and
pinch-runner Tommy Edman for a 3-1 lead. Didier Fuentes walked
pinch-hitter Josue De Paula and Kyle Tucker to load the bases. Edman
ran for De Paula.
It was an uplifting moment for Pages, who had two hits in the
series-clinching win. A year ago, he went 4 for 51 (.078) in the
postseason and lost his starting job in the outfield as the Dodgers
beat Toronto in the World Series.
“I’ve been preparing myself all series for a moment like that, give
myself an opportunity, get a good pitch to hit,” Pages said. “And
luckily I was able to put a good swing on a pitch.”
Max Muncy's solo shot off Raisel Iglesias in the ninth padded the
lead and gave the slugger 19 postseason homers for the Dodgers,
extending his franchise record.
Los Angeles right-hander Tyler Glasnow, making his first start since
Sept. 24, allowed only one hit but walked five batters in 4 2/3
innings. After he issued two walks in the fifth, left-hander Alex
Vesia ended the inning on Matt Olson's groundout to second base.
Mahle, a native of Newport Beach, California, who grew up a Dodgers
fan, allowed two runs — one earned — in 6 1/3 innings.
Michael Harris II hit Glasnow’s first pitch for a single before
stealing second and eventually scoring from third on a wild pitch
that bounced off catcher Will Smith’s chest protector.
The Dodgers pulled even in the second with the help of two Atlanta
errors. Shohei Ohtani walked, stole second and advanced to third on
catcher Sean Murphy’s errant throw into center field. Muncy’s pop
fly into shallow left field was dropped by shortstop Mauricio Dubón
for another error, allowing Ohtani to score.
Hitting woes for Braves
The missed opportunity left the Braves with 18 walks in the series,
and none scored. Atlanta hitters finished 1 for 23 with runners in
scoring position.
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Los Angeles Dodgers players celebrate winning Game 4 of baseball's
National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves,
Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
“The Dodgers had something to do with that,”
manager Walt Weiss said. "They’re going for their third straight
world championship for a reason. Their arms just keep coming at you.
“But that’s the postseason. You never know what
you’re going to get. It’s very unpredictable.”
Bullpen pecking order restored
Glasnow and four relievers combined to give up just three hits.
Tanner Scott pitched a perfect eighth before Edwin Díaz got three
quick outs for his second save of the series. It was his second in
two nights and evidence he has reclaimed the closer role just in
time for the Dodgers’ run at another championship.
“That’s the reason why we got him,” manager Dave Roberts said. “The
last two nights, that’s the reason why we acquired a guy like Edwin
Díaz. He’s one of the great closers in the game. For him to be
pitching his best right now, that’s what you hope for, and I give
him a lot of credit.”
Díaz said he had a long season while recovering from elbow surgery
and a neck injury.
“I feel great,” he said. “I’m happy what I’m doing right now. I put
in a lot of work this season. ... Those things paid off at the end
of the day. Last week and a half of the season, I did my job.”
Collision with wall
Hernández crashed into the left-field wall while attempting to catch
Ozzie Albies' double off Vesia leading off the sixth. Hernández
pointed to his head and neck when talking to an athletic trainer but
remained in the game.
Edgardo Henriquez stranded Albies at second. Henriquez allowed one
hit in 1 2/3 scoreless innings for the win.
Injury report
Dodgers second baseman Miguel Rojas was held out after leaving
Tuesday night’s 3-1 win during an at-bat in the eighth inning with
lower back soreness. Roberts said Rojas would not be available off
the bench.
Ronald Acuña Jr. started in right field for Atlanta one day after
being moved to designated hitter in a late lineup change due to
right knee soreness.
Up next
The Dodgers will face Milwaukee or San Diego in Game 1 of the NLCS
on Sunday.
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