Max FriedSP | Braves

Rough first inning sinks Max Fried in Game 6October 17, 2020 | 04:46 PM

Max Fried couldn't overcome a rough first inning in Saturday's loss to the Dodgers in Game 6 of the NLCS, giving up three runs on eight hits over 6 2/3 innings of work. Analysis: It was the first loss that Fried has taken this season - regular or postseason. The left-hander walked four and struck out five on the afternoon, throwing a career-high 109 pitches (66 strikes). All of the damage done against him came in that opening inning - where Corey Seager and Justin Turner smacked back-to-back homers and Cody Bellinger tacked on an RBI single. Fried rebounded to fire 5 2/3 scoreless innings to keep the Braves in the game, but at that point it was too little, too late. What it did do though, was save the Braves bullpen for a must-win Game 7 showdown on Sunday.