Toronto Star
· collected 2026-10-05 · by Beth Harris The Associated Press
Ray Kerr, a former convenience store and movie theater worker who played baseball in the minor leagues before joining the Atlanta Braves this year, made an unexpected impact as the starting pitcher for Game 2 of the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He learned early Sunday morning that he would be pitching that night and struck out Shohei Ohtani among his four strikeouts, allowing two hits and walking one in 2 2/3 innings. Kerr’s story is noteworthy given his past challenges, including time in foster care, and his journey from undrafted free agent to becoming a key player for the Braves in the postseason.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-05,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
In the National League Division Series (NLDS), the Atlanta Braves faced off against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2 on October 4th, tying the series at one game apiece after a 3-2 victory at Dodger Stadium. The unexpected turn came when the Braves opted for a bullpen game, starting left-hander Ray Kerr despite having used him extensively during their wild-card round. Meanwhile, the Dodgers started Blake Snell, who struggled and was pulled after 3 2/3 innings.
Key moments included Michael Harris II's go-ahead triple in the fifth inning, capitalizing on Kris Bubic’s wild pitch to score the decisive run. Despite a late surge by Max Muncy with two outs in the ninth, reliever Raisel Igelsias secured the victory for the Braves. This pivotal win reversed the series' momentum and set up an intense Game 3 scheduled for October 6th in Atlanta, where Chris Sale, the former Cy Young winner, is expected to pitch for the Braves against a potentially tired Dodgers lineup.
Written for “Braves vs Dodgers NLDS” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 6 other(s) covering the same event.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Ray Kerr is becoming an unlikely postseason hero for the Atlanta Braves.
asserted
Kerr → become → Braves
The former convenience store and movie theater worker struck out four-time MVP Shohei Ohtani on a 95-mph four-seam fastball in the Braves’ 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday night that evened their National League Division Series at a game apiece.
asserted
that → strike → game
“He did it again for us, just amazing,” Braves manager Walt Weiss said.
asserted
Weiss → do → us
“He’s throwing the ball so well.”
asserted
He → throw → ball
Ohtani was one of a season-high-tying four strikeouts for Kerr, a 32-year-old lefty reliever who found out in the morning that he’d be starting Game 2 that night.
asserted
he → tie → 2
He allowed two hits and walked one in 2 2/3 innings.
asserted
He → allow → innings
“I didn’t really have much pressure on me,” Kerr said, explaining that he had breakfast with his wife and baby who are on the trip and went swimming.
asserted
who → have → trip
“And then when I got to the field, I developed my process in my head.
asserted
I → get → head
Kerr was the opener in the Braves’ NL Wild Card Series Game 3 clincher over the Philadelphia Phillies, tossing 3 1/3 scoreless innings, with one hit, one walk and two strikeouts.
asserted
Kerr → toss → hit
It’s very surprising,” he said.
asserted
he → ’ → ?
“It’s like one night, all of a sudden, I got a thousand followers on Instagram.
asserted
I → ’ → Instagram
I’m getting used to it.
asserted
I → get → it
I’m just going to be myself throughout it.”
asserted
I → go → it
At 13, Kerr landed in the foster care system in Reno, Nevada, because his father was in prison and his mother was absent.
asserted
mother → land → prison
He and his brother were eventually taken in by a woman who provided the stability that had been lacking in their lives.
asserted
that → take → lives
Kerr graduated from high school in Reno and played baseball at Mendocino College in Northern California for two years before quitting the sport.
asserted
Kerr → graduate → sport
He returned home and took jobs at a 7-Eleven and a theater.
asserted
He → return → Eleven
A coach at Lassen College in the Sierra Nevada foothills convinced Kerr to join the team.
asserted
coach → convince → team
He went on to play in the Alaska Baseball League in 2017, where his fastball touched 93 mph.
asserted
fastball → go → mph
That August, he signed with the Seattle Mariners as an undrafted free agent.
asserted
he → sign → agent
In 2021, he was traded to the San Diego Padres.
asserted
he → trade → Padres
The following season he reached the majors for the first time, appearing in seven games before being sent down to Triple-A in 2023.
asserted
he → reach → 2023
Late that year, he was traded to the Braves and started the 2024 season at Triple-A.
He had Tommy John surgery, ending his season in June and keeping him out all of 2025.
asserted
He → trade → 2025
He returned this year and got selected to Atlanta’s active roster in August.
asserted
He → return → August
Kerr made his season debut on Aug. 17, and posted a 1.47 ERA over 18 1/3 innings in nine appearances.
asserted
Kerr → make → appearances
Left-handed hitters — like Ohtani — hit .174 against him with a double being the only extra-base hit he allowed.
asserted
he → hit → him
The Braves are headed back to Atlanta for Game 3 on Tuesday, when ace Chris Sale is expected to start.
asserted
Sale → head → Tuesday
“It’s going to be crazy there,” Kerr said.
asserted
Kerr → go → ?
“The crowd’s going to be beautiful to watch.
asserted
crowd → go → ?
I already know it.
asserted
I → know → it
”
And if Kerr gets the nod to take down more innings again, he’ll tell himself “All right, let’s get it.”
asserted
’s → get → it
“That’s what I say every time,” he said, “and then I stick to it.”
asserted
I → ’ → it
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