Braves remain undefeated in postseason, put Dodgers in 2-0 hole

Can anyone stop the Atlanta Braves?

The Braves remained undefeated in postseason play Tuesday, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-7 to take a 2-0 lead in the National League Championship Series.

Rookie right-hander Ian Anderson started for the Braves and improved his playoff shutout streak to 15 2/3 innings. The former third overall pick has allowed six hits and eight walks while striking out 22 over the remarkable tear. The 22-year-old fired four scoreless innings against the Dodgers on Tuesday, allowing one hit and five walks while striking out five. He, however, didn't qualify as the pitcher of record.

Tyler Matzek earned the victory while Dodgers rookie righty Tony Gonsolin - filling in for an ailing Clayton Kershaw - got hit with the loss, allowing five runs over 4 1/3 innings.

The Braves survived a late rally from the Dodgers after dominating the 43-win club over the first six innings. Atlanta carried an 7-0 lead into the bottom of the seventh, but Corey Seager narrowed the gap with a three-run homer.

The rally continued in the bottom of the ninth with Seager doubling home Mookie Betts off Braves reliever Josh Tomlin. Max Muncy followed up by hitting a two-run homer while Cody Bellinger tripled home Will Smith to make it a one-run game. AJ Pollock wound up grounding out, stranding Bellinger - representing the tying run - 90 feet from home.

Mark Melancon recorded the save, getting the final out after relieving Tomlin, who allowed three runs on three hits.

The Braves' victory improved the club's postseason record to 7-0 after sweeping the Cincinnati Reds in the wild-card series and Miami Marlins in the NLDS.

Game 3 gets going Wednesday at 6:05 p.m. ET at Globe Life Field in Arlington, with the Braves now acting as the home team. Kyle Wright will start for Atlanta while Los Angeles counters with Julio Urias.