ATLANTA — Edwin Díaz converted his first postseason save as a Dodger to seal a 3-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the National League Division Series at Truist Park, giving Los Angeles a 2-1 edge in the best-of-five series. The Dodgers, who signed Díaz to a three-year, $69 million deal last December to anchor the bullpen ahead of their bid for the fifth three-peat in World Series history, are now one win away from reaching the NL Championship Series for the third straight year.
Díaz was called on for the bottom of the ninth with a two-run lead after pumping triple-digit heat in Game 2, and he retired his final three batters after a loud leadoff double to lock down the win. "We needed that win big," Díaz said. "They just gave me the opportunity to be in that position, and I just did my job. So I'm really happy, you know? I'm thankful for that. They put a lot of trust in me during my process, and today it paid off." Manager Dave Roberts said, "I've said all along that once he starts throwing the baseball like he's capable of, I have no problem putting him in the ninth to finish a game."
The save was no guarantee a month ago. Díaz was on the injured list for the second time this season in mid-September, and his regular season was marred by injuries — loose bodies in his right elbow that required surgical removal in April and neck inflammation in August — as well as poor performance. He recorded an 11.85 ERA and blew four saves in 16 appearances before his second IL stint. Once healthy in late September, he looked like a different pitcher, ending the regular season with five scoreless outings, all in lower leverage, before his Game 2 appearance.
At Truist Park there were no trumpets, and Díaz created immediate stress when he fell behind 2-1 to Ozzie Albies and allowed a double with an exit velocity of 104.4 mph to open the ninth. With a cushion to work with, he shifted focus to the hitters. "I wasn't trying to pay attention much to the runner, because if that run scored, we still have a one-run lead," he said. "So my attention went straight to the hitters. I was trying to make pitches, get weak contact." Albies moved to third with one out when Michael Harris II grounded out at the end of an eight-pitch battle, but Díaz stranded him by getting Mauricio Dubón to fly out in foul territory and inducing a tough grounder from Mike Yastrzemski that Mookie Betts handled for the final out.
It was Díaz's first save since Aug. 14. Roberts will continue to approach the ninth inning by committee for now, but having the experienced right-hander to complement left-hander Tanner Scott gives Los Angeles a strong set of options at the back end of the bullpen. "I've been in this position before, so I know what I have to do to be successful," Díaz said. "And that's what I did today: just stayed calm, trying to go pitch by pitch. Don't anticipate anything. Just trust my stuff, myself -- and get the outs." The Game 3 matchup followed NLDS Preview: Sale vs Yamamoto as Braves Host Dodgers in Game 3 at Truist Park.