2021 National League Division Series: Pederson home run lifts Braves over Brewers in Game 3

The Atlanta Braves have taken a 2-1 lead in the National League Division Series following a 3-0 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers at Truist Field.

Ian Anderson and four relievers combined on a five-hitter as the Atlanta pitching staff has now held Milwaukee scoreless for 19 consecutive innings dating back to the seventh inning of Game 1.

Pederson homer, Atlanta pitching staff push Braves past Brewers

Joc Pederson provided all of the offense the Braves would need with a pinch-hit three-run home run, his second of the series. He's now got a hit in all three at-bats he's had in this series, all as a pinch-hitter.

Anderson and Milwaukee starter Freddy Peralta matched zeroes through the first four innings until Milwaukee threatened, putting two men on. Brewers manager Craig Counsell elected to pinch-hit for Peralta with Daniel Vogelbach.

With the hit-and-run called for, Luis Urias broke from third after Vogelbach hit a grounder to Austin Riley, who fielded and fired home to start a rundown to tag out Urias. Milwaukee failed to score.

Adrian Houser relieved Peralta and gave up singles to Travis d'Arnaud and Dansby Swanson before Pederson pinch-hit for Anderson and he cracked a three-run homer to right for all of the offense in the game.

Eduardo Escobar led off the top of the seventh with a pinch-hit double, but was left stranded. In the eighth, Jace Peterson walked and Willy Adames singled before Tyler Matzek got Christian Yelich to hit into an inning-ending 6-3 double play.

The Brewers went down in order in the ninth and are staring at an early playoff exit for the third straight year.