Dodgers Blast Braves 15-3, Score Record 11 Runs in 1st Inning

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Max Muncy’s grand slam capped a record-setting 11-run first inning for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who coasted to a 15-3 rout of the Atlanta Braves that cut their National League Championship Series deficit to 2 games to 1.

Muncy’s slam was the third homer in the first inning and among a franchise-record five in a postseason game for the Dodgers. Joc Pederson and Edwin Rios went deep on consecutive pitches in the first.

Atlanta now has a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. The Braves last October gave up a 10-run first to St. Louis in the NL Division Series finale.

Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw could start Game 4 Thursday if the left-hander’s back continues to improve. Kershaw was scratched from his Game 2 start because of back spasms, and manager Dave Roberts decided to stick with left-hander Julio Urías for Game 3 against Atlanta on Wednesday night.