Dodgers take 1-0 NLDS lead as Teoscar Hernández powers 5-3 win over Braves

Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Atlanta Braves 5-3 in Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Saturday, October 4, 2026, taking a 1-0 series lead at Dodger Stadium.

Hernández’s two‑run blast in the bottom of the fourth inning broke a scoreless tie and gave the Dodgers a 2-0 advantage. The left‑fielder struck the ball at 109.9 miles per hour, sending it 431 feet into the left‑field bleachers. "Teo is good in big moments because he’s not afraid to fail," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, noting Hernández’s ability to reset after setbacks.

The veteran slugger, who has hit nine postseason home runs over the past three years, added a single later in the inning. He described his effort as a fight for the team’s success, saying, “I was fighting for my life, just to help this team win games.”

Dodgers right fielder Kyle Tucker followed Hernández’s momentum with a 408‑foot homer in the sixth inning, extending the lead to 4-1. Shortly after, third baseman Max Muncy joined the home‑run club, hitting a solo shot that pushed the score to 5-1. Both homers were part of a broader offensive surge that complemented starter Tarik Skubal’s six‑inning performance.

Skubal struck out seven batters while allowing just one run on two hits and two walks. The lone Braves run came when catcher Sean Murphy connected on a 99‑mph fastball for a solo home run in the top of the sixth, narrowing the gap to 2-1 before the Dodgers’ late surge.

Atlanta rallied in the ninth inning when Ozzie Albies hit a two‑run homer off reliever Tanner Scott, cutting the deficit to 5-3. Scott retired the next two batters, and Dodgers reliever Evan Phillips secured the final out to preserve the win.

The Dodgers will look to build on the opening victory when they host the Braves again on Sunday for Game 2, aiming to maintain the momentum generated by Hernández’s postseason heroics.