Marcell Ozuna’s mishap costs Braves as World Series wait continues

AP photo by Tony Gutierrez / Atlanta Braves designated hitter Marcell Ozuna watches after getting called out at home after leaving third base early during the third inning in Game 5 of the NL Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night in Arlington, Texas. AP photo by Tony Gutierrez / Atlanta Braves designated hitter Marcell Ozuna watches after getting called out at home after leaving third base early during the third inning in Game 5 of the NL Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night in Arlington, Texas.

By SCHUYLER DIXON / The Associated Press October 17, 2020 4 min read

ARLINGTON, Texas – Marcell Ozuna and the Atlanta Braves got a little ahead of themselves.

Now they’ll have to wait at least another day for the franchise’s first World Series berth in 20 years.

Ozuna left early on what would have been a sacrifice fly with his team leading in the third inning, and the game soon turned in favor of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who stayed alive in the National League Championship Series with a 7-3 victory in Game 5 on Friday night.

The Braves still have a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven after a bullpen game that started well but went awry. Atlanta’s top two starting pitchers are lined up for the final two games: Left-hander Max Fried gets the ball for the NL East Division champions on Saturday, and right-hander Ian Anderson would presumably be ready for Game 7 on Sunday. The 22-year-old Anderson hasn’t allowed a run in 15 2/3 innings in these playoffs, covering the first three postseason starts of the rookie’s career.

Fried gets the first shot, though.