Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Mookie Betts lift Dodgers over Braves

Field Level Media|published: 05/02/2025, 11:02pm EDT

May 2, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) rounds the bases after a home run against the Atlanta Braves in the sixth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw six scoreless innings and Mookie Betts hit the decisive home run to lead the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers to a 2-1 win over the Atlanta Braves on Friday in the opener of their three-game series.

The Dodgers extended their winning streak to six games and improved to 4-0 against the Braves this season. The Dodgers have won 10 of their last 12 games against the Braves.

The game was halted by rain for one hour and 13 minutes before the ninth inning could begin.

Yamamoto (4-2) held the Braves hitless for 5 2/3 innings until Austin Riley doubled to center field. He was stranded there when Marcell Ozuna grounded out.

It was the only hit allowed by Yamamoto, who earlier Friday was named National League Pitcher of the Month. He walked two, struck out six and lowered his league-leading ERA to 0.90.

The Braves finished with just two hits, including Matt Olson's home run to center field.

The Los Angeles attack was led by Betts, who had two hits, scored two runs and drove in a run with his fifth homer.

Dodgers closer Tanner Scott pitched a scoreless eighth inning and Evan Phillips worked the ninth, striking out two, to earn his first save.

The losing pitcher was Grant Holmes (2-2), who threw six innings and allowed two runs. Holmes yielded four hits, walked two and struck out a career-high nine batters. He was removed after allowing Will Smith's leadoff single in the seventh.

Dylan Lee, Daysbel Hernandez and Rafael Montero each worked a scoreless inning for the Braves.

The Dodgers scored their first run in the fourth inning. Betts singled and scored on Smith's sacrifice fly to right field.

Los Angeles made it 2-0 in the sixth inning on a solo homer by Betts, whose shot got over the leaping try of left fielder Alex Verdugo and carried into the seats in left-center field. It was the first home run for Betts since April 14.

The Braves cut the lead to 2-1 when Olson greeted reliever Kirby Yates with a 411-foot home run, his fifth.

--Field Level Media