:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60608357/usa_today_10993101.0.jpg)
The scoreboard will show the Braves defeated the Dodgers 4-1 on Sunday. The Dodgers still took three of four and had a winning road trip with six wins against four losses.
But that wouldn’t tell the story about today’s game as Atlanta starter Sean Newcomb was one strike away from no-hitting the Dodgers. On Newcomb’s 134th pitch, Chris Taylor grounded a base hit past a diving Johan Camargo. The appreciative hometown crowd rose to cheer Newcomb as a took a seat.
Dan Winkler relieved Newcomb. Taylor would take second on defensive indifference. Manny Machado then singled home Taylor. Machado has now been on base for 28 straight games.
The late rally ended when Matt Kemp grounded out to third.
Newcomb was on spot against the Dodgers, he had only one blemish going to the ninth, a leadoff walk to Yasiel Puig in the sixth inning.
The ninth inning looked promising for Newcomb. Logan Forsythe and Cody Bellinger hit lazy fly balls for the first two outs. Taylor was the last chance the Dodgers had for a hit and he was 0-for-3 with a strikeout.
But Taylor hung in and he would single to break up the no-hitter.
Sean Newcomb leaves with 2 outs in the 9th, and his 134 pitches are the most in MLB since Aug. 21, 2015, when Mike Fiers no-hit the Dodgers https://t.co/HY7F9Moyd3
— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) July 29, 2018
The Braves scored first and were able to protect their early lead behind Newcomb’s strong pitching.
Nick Markakis was the star at the plate for the Braves. His two hits were responsible for all four Braves runs. With two out in the first inning, Markakis doubled home Freddie Freeman. He then scored on a double by Kurt Suzuki.
And then with one out in the third, Markakis hit a two-run homer to make it a 4-0 lead for the Braves.
Ross Stripling took the loss, he pitched four innings and allowed four runs and seven hits. This loss continued a downward trend for his last few starts.
Ross Stripling's first 19 appearances (8 starts) this season -- 1.65 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, .229 BA against
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) July 29, 2018
Past 8 (all starts) -- 4.09 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, .283 BA against
One good note, both Daniel Hudson and Erik Goeddel pitched two scoreless innings in relief of Stripling.
The Dodgers will soon board their charter flight home maybe thinking about some of the games on this road trip that got away from them. But this game will not part of those thoughts.
Up Next
The Dodgers head home to start a four-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers. Kenta Maeda (7-5, 3.27) will go against Freddy Peralta (4-2, 3.74)
Sunday particulars
Home runs: Nick Markakis (11)
WP - Sean Newcomb (10-5): 82⁄3 IP, 1 hit, 1 walk, 8 strikeouts
LP - Ross Stripling (8-3): 4 IP, 7 hits, 4 runs, 1 walk, 5 strikeouts