Problems with starting pitching were again evident in a 6-2 Dodgers (87-59) Defeat against the Brave (79-67) Friday night at Truist Park.

This is a completely different Braves team than the one in May when the Dodgers won the three-game series. Both teams have struggled with numerous injuries on their respective teams. While the Dodgers still lead the NL West Division, the Braves are fighting for a spot in the NL Wild Card.

None of the Dodgers’ three starting pitchers from this weekend will pitch in this series. In fact, the problems of the Dodgers’ starting pitchers were once again a key factor in Friday’s 5-2 loss.

Knack pitched a laborious second inning that lasted 18 minutes, striking out 44 pitches. The Braves batted away against Knack, yielding four hits, including two two-run home runs that gave the Braves a commanding 5-0 lead.

The Braves struck first, getting three straight base hits against Knack in the first inning. Marcell Ozuna bounced a ball off the top of Max Muncy’s glove for a base hit. Matt Olson doubled the ball and singled with Ozuna for the early 1-0 lead.

Knack owes Tommy Edman dinner after the midfielder intercepted a Ramón Laureano ball that nearly went out of play.

No one could stop Gio Urshela’s two-run home run in the second that extended the Braves’ lead to two runs. Knack continued to falter and Jorge Soler hit a second two-run bomber against the rookie right-hander, making it a four-run inch.

Spencer Schwellenbach, the Braves’ rookie starter, struck out six in six innings. Miguel Rojas got the Dodgers back with a solo home run in the third inning and Tommy Edman knocked in a run in the fourth. Other than that, Schwellenbach had a solid outing in his first career start against the Dodgers.

The Dodgers bullpen came in and silenced the Braves’ hitters for a while with five scoreless innings as relief pitcher. Michael Harris II scored the Braves’ sixth run with an RBI double against Brent Honeywell in the eighth inning.

Raisel Iglesias, Atlanta’s closer, hadn’t allowed a run in about five years. That wouldn’t happen this time either. He quickly put the team out of action in the ninth inning.

Details for Friday

Home runs: Gio Urshela (6), Jorge Soler (18), Miguel Rojas (5)

WP – Spencer Schwellenbach (6-7): 6 IP, 2 runs, 4 hits, 6 strikeouts

LP – Landon Knack (2-4): 2 IP, 7 hits, 5 runs, 2 walks, 2 strikeouts

Next

Saturday’s pitchers will face off between Jack Flaherty (12-6, 2.86 ERA, 1.014 WHIP), acquired from the Dodgers at the trade deadline, and Chris Sale (16-3, 2.38 ERA, 6.2 fWAR), the favorite for the NL Cy Young Award. First pitch is tomorrow at the same time (4:20 p.m. on SportsNet LA).