Dodgers beat Braves to force decisive Game 7 in NLCS


Corey Seager of the Los Angeles Dodgers strikes out against the Atlanta Braves during the second inning in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series at Globe Life Field on October 17, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. Tom Pennington/Getty Images/AFP

The Los Angeles Dodgers used another first-inning scoring burst to stay alive in the Major League Baseball playoffs, beating Atlanta, 3-1, Saturday to force a decisive Game 7 in the National League Championship Series.

The Dodgers are one win from advancing to their third World Series appearance in four years after pulling level at 3-3 in the best-of-seven series.

Game 7 is set for Sunday in the neutral site of Arlington, Texas with a limited number of spectators allowed to attend because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The winner of the series will advance to play in the World Series against either the Tampa Bay Rays or the Houston Astros, set to play later Saturday in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series.

Corey Seager slammed his fifth home run of the series and Justin Turner launched a 418-foot shot to centerfield as the Dodgers long-ball hitters once again took a jackhammer to the Braves' starting pitcher with three runs in the opening inning.

The Braves scored 11 runs in the first inning of Game 3 en route to a crushing 15-3 victory.

Dodgers starter Walker Buehler worked six superb shutout innings, allowing seven hits and striking out six batters. He had no walks.

Kenley Jansen needed just six pitches in the ninth inning to get three outs and record the save for the Dodgers, who are in the playoffs for the eighth straight year.

Atlanta's Max Fried survived the first inning to pitch 6 2/3 innings, allowing eight hits and three runs, including the two homers, in the loss. He struck out five, but also walked four batters.