Turang's Homer and Lara's Single Lift Milwaukee
Brice Turang hit a leadoff home run off Tarik Skubal in the fourth inning, sending the ball into the home bullpen at American Family Field. It was Turang's second career postseason homer, a notable turnaround after he managed just one hit in fifteen at-bats with six strikeouts during last year's NLCS. Milwaukee then took the lead for good in the fifth when Garrett Mitchell drew a leadoff walk, moved up on rookie Cooper Pratt's sacrifice bunt, and scored on fellow rookie Luis Lara's single to center. The Brewers loaded the bases later in the inning, but Skubal escaped when William Contreras flied out to right.[S1][S2][S3][S4][S5][S6][S7]
The victory gave Milwaukee a 1-0 series lead in the first NLCS matchup between two 100-win teams since the Cincinnati Reds eliminated the Philadelphia Phillies in 1976. The Brewers had lost seven consecutive postseason games to the Dodgers, including a sweep in last year's NLCS. Milwaukee has now come from behind in three of its four postseason wins this year, sticking with the same style that produced the majors' best regular-season record.[S1][S2][S3][S4][S5][S6][S7]
Dodgers Squander Chances as Bullpen Shines
Los Angeles chased Milwaukee starter Jacob Misiorowski, the favorite for the NL Cy Young Award, in the fifth inning, but managed only two hits against four Brewers relievers. DL Hall entered with a runner on base and induced Freddie Freeman to ground into a double play, energizing the crowd of 42,617. Abner Uribe allowed two hits in the sixth before striking out Andy Pages with runners on the corners to end the inning. Aaron Ashby pitched two innings, and Trevor Megill earned the save. In the ninth, Kyle Tucker and pinch-hitter Josue De Paula walked with two outs before Mookie Betts flied out to the center-field warning track.[S1]
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The Dodgers grounded into three double plays, stranded nine runners, and went 1 for 6 with runners in scoring position, dropping to 2 for 22 in the playoffs in those situations. Misiorowski needed 35 pitches in the second inning alone. Pages drove in Shohei Ohtani with a single to right, and Tucker loaded the bases with a 10-pitch walk that included four foul balls, but Misiorowski limited the damage by getting Kiké Hernández to bounce into an inning-ending double play. Los Angeles is seeking to become the first team to win three straight championships since the 1998-2000 New York Yankees.[S1]
Game 2 Pitching Matchup and Postseason Context
Game 2 is scheduled for Monday in Milwaukee. Yoshinobu Yamamoto will start for the Dodgers, while Logan Henderson takes the mound for the Brewers. Yamamoto is 8-1 with a 2.14 ERA in 11 postseason appearances, and the Japanese right-hander pitched a three-hitter in a 5-1 victory at Milwaukee in Game 2 of last year's NLCS. Henderson is making his second career postseason start; he tossed five-plus innings of two-run ball in Milwaukee's 4-3 win over San Diego in Game 2 of their NL Division Series, and he went 2-0 with a 0.75 ERA in two starts against Los Angeles this season.[S1]
The Brewers are among five current teams that have never won the World Series. Milwaukee's bullpen has allowed just one earned run over 23 2/3 postseason innings this year, a key factor in the team's success. The Dodgers, meanwhile, are looking to become the first repeat champions in over two decades, but they now trail in the series after dropping the opener.[S1]
