Dodgers BLITZ Braves 13-6

Carl Crawford hit a three-run homer and Juan Uribe added a two-run shot as the Los Angeles Dodgers routed the Atlanta Braves 13-6 on Sunday for a 2-1 lead in their best-of-five National League Division Series.

Hanley Ramirez and Yasiel Puig each had three hits and scored three times on a big night at the plate for the Dodgers, who matched a franchise record for runs in a postseason game. Brooklyn beat the New York Yankees 13-8 in Game 2 of the 1956 World Series.

"It was a total team effort," Crawford said. "Guys were swinging the bat well. That's what it's going to take: 25 guys to do the job and come together and play well."

Los Angeles can advance to the NL Championship Series with a victory at home in Game 4 on Monday night. Ricky Nolasco pitches for manager Don Mattingly's Dodgers against veteran Freddy Garcia.

Crawford made the play of the game when he tumbled head over heels and onto his head to catch an eighth-inning foul ball at the low retaining wall in left field. The speedy leadoff man also scored three times, including once in the eighth when the Dodgers made it 13-4.

- Associated Press

(China Daily 10/08/2013 page24)