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Braves win first pennant in 22 years

By Bruce Kropp Oct 24, 2021 | 8:05 AM

ATLANTA (AP) — The World Series matchup is set after the Atlanta Braves captured their first National League pennant since 1999.

Eddie Rosario unloaded a tiebreaking, three-run homer in the fourth inning before the Braves’ bullpen made the lead stand up in a 4-2 win over the Dodgers in Game 6. Rosario set an Atlanta franchise record and became only the fifth player in baseball history to record 14 hits in a postseason series.

Rosario’s blast chased Walker Buehler, who surrendered seven hits and three walks over four frames. Buehler started in place of Max Scherzer, who was scratched from the start late Friday night.

Austin Riley doubled home the game’s first run in the opening frame, but the Dodgers tied it on Cody Bellinger’s RBI single in the fourth.

Will Smith worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his fourth save of the postseason after a brilliant relief stint by winner Tyler Matzek, who escaped a huge jam in the seventh by striking out the side.

The Braves will head to Houston for Game 1 of the World Series Tuesday night against the Astros.