Toronto Star
· collected 2026-10-08 · by Charles Odum The Associated Press
Andy Pages hit a crucial bases-loaded single in the seventh inning, driving in two runs to secure the Los Angeles Dodgers' 4-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves and clinch their NL Division Series win 3-1. This pivotal moment came after the Braves struggled with missed opportunities, finishing the series with only one hit when runners were in scoring position despite eighteen walks. Tyler Glasnow started for the Dodgers and pitched effectively until being relieved by four other pitchers who kept the Braves scoreless, highlighting the Dodgers' strong bullpen performance throughout the postseason.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-08,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
In Game 4 of the National League Division Series (NLDS) on October 7, the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Atlanta Braves with a final score of 4-1. The victory secured the Dodgers' spot in the NL Championship Series for the third consecutive year. Starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow pitched effectively but was lifted early after walking two batters in the fifth inning; reliever Alex Vesia then recorded the final out of the frame to stabilize the game.
The turning point came when Andy Pages delivered a crucial bases-loaded single in the seventh inning, driving in two runs to give the Dodgers a 3-1 lead. This pivotal moment followed a series of base hits and walks that had loaded the bases for the Dodgers against Braves reliever Robert Suarez. Earlier, Michael Harris II had reached base on Glasnow’s first pitch, stealing second and scoring on a wild pitch.
Glasnow finished with only one hit allowed but walked five batters in 4⅔ innings. His early exit was part of an effective bullpen management strategy by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who orchestrated a series of relief pitching changes that kept the Braves off balance throughout much of the game.
With this win, the Dodgers advanced to the NLCS with a 3-1 series victory over Atlanta. This marks their third consecutive appearance in the Championship Series as they aim to become the first National League team since the New York Yankees (in the American League) to win three straight World Series titles. The performance of key players like Pages, who had struggled in previous postseasons but played a vital role this time around, was crucial for the Dodgers' success.
Written for “Dodgers Win NLDS Over Braves” on 2026-10-08,
grounded in this article and the 7 other(s) covering the same event.
ATLANTA (AP) — With one pivotal swing, Andy Pages sent the Los Angeles Dodgers into the National League Championship Series and transformed his postseason legacy.
asserted
Pages → send → 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.
asserted
Dodgers → drive → Series
The Dodgers won back-to-back games in Atlanta to take the best-of-five matchup 3-1 and advance to the NLCS as they seek to become the first National League team to win three straight World Series.
asserted
they → win → Series
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.
asserted
who → line → lead
Didier Fuentes walked pinch-hitter Josue De Paula and Kyle Tucker to load the bases.
asserted
Fuentes → walk → bases
Edman ran for De Paula.
asserted
Edman → run → Paula
It was an uplifting moment for Pages, who had two hits in the series-clinching win.
asserted
who → have → 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.
asserted
Dodgers → go → 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.
asserted
Pages → prepare → pitch
“And luckily I was able to put a good swing on a pitch.”
asserted
I → put → pitch
Max Muncy’s solo shot off Raisel Iglesias in the ninth padded the lead and gave the slugger 19 postseason homers with the Dodgers, extending his franchise record.
asserted
shot → pad → record
Dodgers right-hander Tyler Glasnow, making his first start since Sept. 24, allowed only one hit but walked five batters in 4 2/3 innings.
asserted
Glasnow → make → innings
After he issued two walks in the fifth, left-hander Alex Vesia ended the inning on Matt Olson’s groundout to second base.
asserted
Vesia → issue → base
Mahle, a native of Newport Beach, California, who grew up a Dodgers fan, allowed two runs — one earned — in 6 1/3 innings.
asserted
who → grow → 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.
asserted
that → hit → protector
The Dodgers pulled even in the second with the help of two Atlanta errors.
asserted
Dodgers → pull → errors
Shohei Ohtani walked, stole second and advanced to third on catcher Sean Murphy’s errant throw into center field.
asserted
Ohtani → walk → field
Muncy’s pop fly into shallow left field was dropped by shortstop Mauricio Dubón for another error, allowing Ohtani to score.
asserted
Ohtani → drop → error
Hitting woes for Braves
The missed opportunity left the Braves with 18 walks in the series, and none scored.
asserted
none → miss → series
Atlanta hitters finished 1 for 23 with runners in scoring position.
asserted
hitters → finish → position
“The Dodgers had something to do with that,” manager Walt Weiss said.
asserted
Weiss → have → that
“They’re going for their third straight world championship for a reason.
asserted
They → go → reason
Their arms just keep coming at you.
asserted
arms → come → you
“But that’s the postseason.
asserted
that → ’ → ?
You never know what you’re going to get.
asserted
you → know → what
It’s very unpredictable.”
asserted
It → ’ → ?
Bullpen pecking order restored
asserted
order → restore → ?
Glasnow and four relievers combined to give up just three hits.
asserted
Glasnow → combine → hits
Tanner Scott pitched a perfect eighth before Edwin Díaz got three quick outs for his second save of the series.
asserted
Díaz → pitch → 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.
asserted
he → reclaim → championship
“That’s the reason why we got him,” manager Dave Roberts said.
asserted
Roberts → ’ → him
“The last two nights, that’s the reason why we acquired a guy like Edwin Díaz.
asserted
we → ’ → Díaz
He’s one of the great closers in the game.
asserted
He → ’ → game
For him to be pitching his best right now, that’s what you hope for, and I give him a lot of credit.”
asserted
I → pitch → credit
Díaz said he had a long season while recovering from elbow surgery and a neck injury.
asserted
he → say → surgery
“I feel great,” he said.
asserted
he → feel → ?
“I’m happy what I’m doing right now.
asserted
I → ’m → what
I put in a lot of work this season. ...
asserted
I → put → work
Those things paid off at the end of the day.
asserted
things → pay → day
Last week and a half of the season, I did my job.”
asserted
I → do → job
…and 8 more, not listed.
The Aporia
