LOS ANGELES — When Juan Uribe was unable to get a bunt down, it was the best thing that happened to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Uribe hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the eighth inning after Clayton Kershaw started on short rest for the Dodgers in a 4-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves that sent Los Angeles into the National League championship series Monday night.

“It was a special night to get to do it here in L.A.,” said Kershaw, his hair slick from the spray of beer and champagne. “We haven’t won anything yet, but it definitely feels good to get to celebrate. You never want to pass those moments up.”

Carl Crawford homered his first two times up and the Dodgers won the best-of-five playoff 3-1 to reach their first NLCS since 2009. The NL West champions open the next round Friday against St. Louis or Pittsburgh.

“We’ve moved one step closer, and we don’t have to get back on a plane tomorrow. It’s a good feeling,” said Don Mattingly, managing in the playoffs for the first time.

Meanwhile, it was the latest October flop for Atlanta, which hasn’t won a postseason series since 2001. During that stretch, the Braves have lost seven straight playoff series and the 2012 NL wild-card game.

Yasiel Puig doubled down the right-field line leading off the eighth against losing pitcher David Carpenter. The rookie charged into second base and pumped his right fist in the air.

Fans were on their feet chanting “Let’s go Dodgers!” when Uribe fouled off two bunt attempts. Then he sent a hanging 2-2 breaking ball into the Dodgers’ bullpen in left field to put them in front for the second time.

Uribe knew it was gone as soon as he connected. He dropped his bat and threw both arms in the air at home plate.

“This moment today I’ll never forget,” Uribe said. “I think a lot of people feel like that.”

Brian Wilson pitched a scoreless eighth to get the victory. Kenley Jansen struck out all three batters in the ninth for a save, fanning Justin Upton to end it.

A’s 6, Tigers 3

DETROIT — Grant Balfour and the Oakland Athletics aren’t making many new friends in the Motor City.

That’s fine with Balfour, the high-strung Oakland reliever who nearly came face to face with Detroit’s Victor Martinez while closing out the Tigers in Game 3 to send the defending AL champions to the brink of elimination.

Brandon Moss, Josh Reddick and Seth Smith homered for the Athletics, who chased Anibal Sanchez in the fifth inning Monday and defeated the Tigers 6-3 for a 2-1 lead in the AL division series. Balfour pitched a hitless ninth for the save, and he and Martinez started shouting at each other after the Detroit designated hitter fouled a pitch off and looked back at the mound.

Rays 5, Red Sox 4

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Evan Longoria savored another win-or-go-home victory for the Tampa Bay Rays.

“I think we all understand the stakes. We all understand that we have our backs to the wall. And it seems like those moments have been fueling us,” the three-time All-Star said Monday night after Jose Lobaton’s two-out, ninth-inning homer gave the Rays a 5-4 victory over the Boston Red Sox and renewed hope in the AL division series.

Tampa Bay won when facing elimination for the fourth time in nine days.