Spencer Schwellenbach strong as Braves beat Dodgers

ATLANTA — As the Braves strengthened their postseason bid with a rain-soaked 6-2 win over the Dodgers on Friday night at Truist Park, it was easy to understand why Whit Merrifield was determined to return to Atlanta’s lineup one week after fracturing a bone in his left foot.

“Time’s running out,” Merrifield said. “And frankly, I’m 35. I don’t know how many more chances I’ll have to be part of a playoff race. It’s important for me to do what I can for a team that’s in a playoff race.”

The Braves’ bid for a seventh consecutive National League East title essentially died two weeks ago. But as they near the end of an injury-ravaged season, this resilient bunch is still experiencing the thrill of a postseason race. They stand one game behind the Mets in the battle for the third and final NL Wild Card spot.

“We’re down in the scoreboard watching territory,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “We can only do what we can do.”

One year after sending six position players to the All-Star Game, the Braves are going down the stretch relying on three players — Merrifield, Gio Urshela and Ramón Laureano — who were released by other clubs earlier this year. Urshela fueled a four-run second inning with a two-run home run. It was his first homer since the Braves signed him after he was released by the Tigers last month.

Braves starter Spencer Schwellenbach received more support when one of Atlanta’s 2021 postseason heroes, Jorge Soler, added another two-run homer off Landon Knack in the second inning. This was Soler’s fifth homer since being acquired from the Giants on July 29, but it’s the first one he’s hit in Atlanta since the trade.

“All those guys we brought in here [after they were released] appreciate they got another opportunity, especially with a club like ours,” Snitker said.

Schwellenbach extended his great rookie season by limiting the Dodgers to just two runs and four hits over six innings. He slowed Shohei Ohtani’s bid for a 50-50 season by keeping him hitless with a strikeout and two flyouts.

Here is how Schwellenbach has fared against the teams with the NL’s best six records:

Vs. Phillies: 18 1/3 innings, five earned runs
Vs. Dodgers: Six innings, two earned runs
Vs. Padres: Seven innings, one earned run
Vs. Mets: Seven innings, zero earned runs
Vs. Brewers and D-backs: No starts

Schwellenbach has posted a 1.88 ERA in the six starts he has combined to make against the teams currently positioned for the NL’s six playoff spots.

“This is what I’ve expected of myself,” Schwellenbach said. “I think when this season is all said and done, I’ll be able to look back and see how far I came this year.”

This is an exciting time for Schwellenbach, who began the season with High-A Rome. He made just two starts above the High-A level before coming to Atlanta in late May. But despite this being his first unrestricted full season as a starting pitcher above the high-school level, he proudly owns a 3.73 ERA through his first 18 career starts.

Like Schwellenbach never expected to be part of a postseason race this year, Merrifield wasn’t sure what he was going to do after the Phillies released him in July. The Braves gained a need for him when Ozzie Albies fractured his left wrist on July 21.

Albies revealed Friday evening that he plans to return before the end of the regular season and exclusively bat right-handed. But there will still be a need for Merrifield, who has provided value with his glove and bat while serving as Atlanta’s second baseman since late July.

Merrifield thought he might be heading to the injured list for the first time in his career after he fouled a pitch off his left foot last week. But once a foot specialist said there was no chance to further damage the foot, the veteran infielder was determined to play through any lingering pain.

And to prove the baseball gods still have a sense of humor, Merrifield legged out an infield single in his first plate appearance. He then singled and scored from second on Michael Harris II’s eighth-inning double.

“If it bothered him, I don’t think he’s going to let you know,” Snitker said.