Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner tags out Atlanta Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson (7) in the fourth inning of Game 7 of the 2020 NLCS at Globe Life Field. Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Running on empty: Braves keep making outs on basepaths

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated 10/18/20

The Atlanta Braves burned themselves on Sunday with some more bad baserunning during the NLCS.

Atlanta took a 3-2 lead in the top of the fourth inning of Game 7 against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The Braves got a pair of walks and then an RBI single from Austin Riley to start the inning and go up 3-2.

A wild pitch put Dansby Swanson on third and Riley on second with nobody out. The Braves had a chance to really break things open, but then they screwed things up.

Nick Markakis hit a sharp ground ball to third, and Swanson broke for home. Justin Turner threw home to cut off the run and get Swanson in a rundown. Not only did the Dodgers tag out Swanson for the out, but they also got Riley trying to move to third.

Not your typical double play, but one the @Dodgers needed. #NLCS pic.twitter.com/0mgrqRF9Xa

— MLB (@MLB) October 19, 2020

The Dodgers went from being on the ropes to getting out of the jam. They were lucky to escape only trailing 3-2.

Unfortunately for Atlanta, this continues a trend. Marcell Ozuna made a costly mistake on the bases in Game 5. Then in Game 6, it was Ozzie Albies committing a mistake. And in Game 7, it was both Swanson and Riley tag-teaming to run the Braves out of a big inning.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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