Wilson’s stock rises after outdueling Kershaw,

ARLINGTON, TEXAS — For a while, itwas the pitching duel nobody sawc oming. Andthe Braves came outof it one win from the World Series.

Bryse Wilson, a national unknown making his first postseason start, outpitched three- time Cy Youngwinner and generational lefty Clayton Kershaw. The Braves then used a six- run sixth to beat the Dodgers 10- 2 in Game 4 and take a 3- 1 lead in the National League Championship Series.

The teams played to a 1- 1 draw entering the bottom of the sixth, which opened with the top of the Braves’ lineup for the third time. Ronald Acuna beat out an in fifield single and advanced to second on a throwing error. Freddie Freeman doubled off ff K er shaw to score the go- ahead run. Marcell Ozuna followed with another double that scored the Braves’ third run and ended Kershaw’s night.

Brusdar Graterol replaced Kershaw and retired Travis d’Arnaud on a liner before Ozzie Albies singled. Dansby Swanson ripped a double to left that scored Ozuna and Albies. Austin Riley’s single scored Swanson.

Grate rol was remove dafter facing only four hitters. Victor Gonzalez allowed Cristian Pache’s single to score the sixth and fifinal run of the inning. Kershaw was charged four runs on seven hits in five innings. He exited without registering an out in the sixth, then helplessly watched as his team fell into a 3- 1 series defificit.

As Kershaw’s start unraveled, Wilson enjoyed comfortably fromthe dugout. His performance was completed at the top of the inning: The 22- year- old allowed one run on one hit over six innings. The Braves were desperate for even an adequate start; Wilson gave them the best start of his career.

Before the sixth, Wilson and Kershaw made one mistake each. Edwin Riosputone of Wilson’s fewill- placedfastballs into the right fifield seats. Ozuna put Kershaw’s slider two rows up in left fifield.

Ozuna went 4 for 5 with two homers, a double and four RBIs. He became the 16th player in postseason history to record two homers and four hits in a game. He’s the first Brave with a multihomer postseason game since Chipper Jones in 2003. His 10 total bases set a Braves postseason record.