Dodgers' Gonsolin gets start against Braves' Fried

Los Angeles rookie right-hander Tony Gonsolin will be promoted from Triple-A to start against the host Atlanta Braves on Sunday when the two division-leading clubs complete their three-game series.

Gonsolin (1-1, 3.21 ERA) will be opposed by Atlanta left-hander Max Fried (14-4, 3.78) in the final regular-season meeting between the two clubs this season.

The Dodgers lead the season series 4-1, but Atlanta scored a 4-3 win on Saturday when they struck for two late home runs. The Dodgers (82-43) are runaway leaders in the National League West and have the best record in the league. The Braves (73-52) have a 5 1/2-game lead over the Washington Nationals in in the NL East.

Gonsolin was 2-4 with a 4.35 ERA in 13 starts at Triple-A Oklahoma City. He pitched five scoreless innings and struck out nine on Monday in his most recent minor league start.

Gonsolin has made three appearances, two starts, for the Dodgers this season. In his last start on Aug. 5 against the St. Louis Cardinals, Gonsolin threw six shutout innings and allowed two hits, one walk and seven strikeouts.

Depending on how deep Gonsolin pitches into the game, the club will then likely use rookie Dustin May in relief for the first time. The Dodgers need starters -- Rich Hill and Ross Stripling are both injured -- and Gonsolin and May are auditioning for potential spots and roles on the postseason roster.

"I'm learning I can compete here when I get the opportunity, whether it's starting or out of the pen," Gonsolin said. "The goal is to get the conversation going and get my name in the mix, hopefully to stay here."

May, considered the team's No. 2 prospect, has made three starts for the club this season. He is 1-1 with a 2.65 ERA and has 15 strikeouts and only two walks in 17 innings. In his last start against the Miami Marlins on Aug. 13, May pitched 5 2/3 innings and allowed one run on three hits and one walk, with five strikeouts.

"You look at Tony and Dustin, two really confident guys, they feel like this is where they belong and are supposed to be," third baseman Justin Turner said.

Fried has won his last five starts. Over his three appearances in August, the southpaw is 3-0 with a 1.04 ERA. In his last start on Aug. 13, Fried pitched six innings and allowed one run on six hits and three walks, and he struck out four.

Fried has struggled against the Dodgers. In an earlier start in Los Angeles this season, he was knocked out after one inning, giving up four runs on four hits and one walk. In two career starts against the Dodgers, Fried is 0-2 with a 7.50 ERA.

Fried has been the beneficiary of Atlanta's best offensive efforts. The Braves have averaged a team-high 4.9 runs of support per game in Fried's 23 starts. Atlanta is 17-8 when Fried starts.

Atlanta placed center fielder Ender Inciarte on the injured list with a strained right hamstring he sustained on Friday. He is expected to miss four-to-six weeks. Inciarte missed two months earlier this season with a back ailment.

After a slow start upon his return, Inciarte had found his offensive stride, batting .318 over the previous 19 games.

"He's been doing great and getting big hits," manager Brian Snitker said. "It's a tough loss when you lose guys up the middle."

--Field Level Media