In a five-game series, Game 2 is make or break. 

If you are down 1-0, you almost have to win Game 2 or else you are pushing a giant bolder up a very steep hill.

If you are up 1-0, you want to win Game 2 to be comfortably in the catbird seat watching some desperate losers try to push a giant bolder up a very steep hill.

For Atlanta, the chance to defend their World Series title is on the line. After their loss to Philadelphia in Game 1, they pretty much had to win Game 2, so they didn’t go into the hostile home crowd in Philadelphia and have to hold on for dear life.

For San Diego, it was just a chance at a small bit of dignity. They are the Los Angeles Dodgers’ whipping boys. Every game against the Padres seems like Guaranteed Win Night for the Dodgers. If San Diego every wants to be taken seriously, they need to beat LA, something they have not been able to do with any sort of frequency the past few years. They went into Game 2 down 0-1. 

Atlanta got smothering pitching from Kyle Wright, MLB’s only twenty-game winner this year, and snapped back to a 3-0 win, scoring all three runs in the sixth after the first two batters were out.

San Diego had to come from begin down 2-0 then took at 3-2 lead, only to give that up. But the little team that couldn’t finally did. They rallied late to beat LA 5-3 and tie the series. They head home for Game 3 on Friday with new life and a bit of dignity.

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