Oct 21, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Albert Pujols (55) celebrates after scoring on a two run home run hit by left fielder Chris Taylor (3) in the fifth inning against the Atlanta Braves during game five of the 2021 NLCS at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
By Phillip Bupp on

It was Chris Taylor’s night to shine as the third baseman hit three home runs and had six RBI’s to lead the Los Angeles Dodgers to an 11-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves. The Dodgers extend their season by at least another game as they make it a 3-2 NLCS.

The long ball was the primary ball in Game 5 and at first glance, people thought it would be the Braves taking control. They certainly got off to an early start as reigning NL MVP Freddie Freeman sent a two-run blast into the right center field stands.

The Dodgers answered with a couple homers in the second. The first was a solo shot by AJ Pollock on the second pitch of the inning while Taylor hit a two-run dinger to take a 3-2 lead.

Taylor kept that up in the third with an RBI single into center field. Two innings later, Taylor went 3-for-3 has he roped another two-run homer to make it a 6-2 ballgame.

That wasn’t it for Taylor. In the seventh, he sent his third home run into left center and made history, becoming the 11th player to hit three home runs in a postseason game and the first to do that in an elimination game.

That seemed to break the proverbial camel’s back for the Braves as in the eighth, Mookie Betts got a leadoff single and stole second base. He would’ve stolen third but Trea Turner got a hit to score Betts. Then with two on base, Pollock hit his second homer of the game to make it 11-2. Taylor had a chance for a fourth home run, and become the first ever to do that in a postseason game, but he struck out.

It wasn’t all great for the Dodgers. Joe Kelly started for the Dodgers but had to leave with just two outs in the first due to right bicep tightness. So it was a refreshing surprise that despite the starting pitcher allowing two runs and getting injured very early, the bullpen stepped up to keep the Braves scoreless the rest of the game.

With the win, the NLCS heads back to Atlanta for Game 6 on Saturday. The Braves have the advantage and are at home for the rest of the series but if the Dodgers can keep their bats hot, they might be the ones standing tall when this series is all said and done.

About Phillip Bupp

Producer/editor of the Awful Announcing Podcast and Short and to the Point. News editor for The Comeback and Awful Announcing. Highlight consultant for Major League Soccer as well as a freelance writer for hire. Opinions are my own but feel free to agree with them.

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