The Los Angeles Dodgers (85-49) faced the Atlanta Braves (70-62) looking to complete the sweep of the series. The Dodgers pulled off another late rally to overcome the Braves (70-62) as they regained first place in the NL West.

The Acquisitions

The Dodgers acquired Trea Turner and Max Scherzer from the Nationals after the all-star break and both have delivered since. Turner acts as the lead-off man for LA, and with his speed and quality hitting, there is no better choice. Max Scherzer continues to pitch as well as he ever has, and these two have helped win games that the Dodgers may not have otherwise.

Scherzer pitched six full innings in which he gave up three hits, no runs, and struck out nine batters. General manager Dave Roberts controversially pulled Scherzer before the 7th, but he had only thrown 76 pitches.

The Comeback to the Comeback

Brusdar Graterol came in to relieve Scherzer and he promptly gave up a 2-run home run. After six innings of Scherzer-induced dominance, the game was tied.

Alex Vesia pitched the 8th inning, but he too gave up a home run, this one being for one run. Suddenly, the Braves took the lead and looked to be the ones making the comeback. That remained so only until the bottom of the same inning, where the Dodgers scored two runs courtesy of singles from Justin Turner and AJ Pollock. The score going into the 9th was 4-3 LA.

Joe Kelly came in to save the game, which he did. He retired the Braves without giving up a run, and the comeback to the comeback was complete. Dodgers won 4-3.

The NL West

The San Francisco Giants (84-49) needed a win tonight, which they did not get. They wanted to retain their half-a-game lead but instead found themselves trailing by that same amount. The Dodgers took control over the NL West.

However, the Giants have shown that no lead is so cushy to be insurmountable. It is fitting that LA and SF play each other next. That series will determine the true ruler of the division.