The Milwaukee Brewers spent last October watching the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate a National League pennant at their expense. On Sunday night, they took the first step toward writing a different ending.
Brice Turang homered, rookie Luis Lara delivered the go-ahead hit, and Milwaukee’s bullpen protected a narrow lead in a 2-1 victory over Los Angeles in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series at American Family Field.
The victory gives the Brewers a 1-0 advantage in the best-of-seven series against the defending World Series champions, who swept Milwaukee in last year’s NLCS.
For a team seeking its first World Series appearance since 1982, winning the opener at home was an encouraging start.
Dodgers Strike First but Miss an Opportunity
Los Angeles opened the scoring in the second inning against Brewers starter Jacob Misiorowski.
Shohei Ohtani drew a leadoff walk and eventually scored on an RBI single by Andy Pages. The Dodgers continued applying pressure, loading the bases with one out and threatening to turn a one-run advantage into something considerably larger.
Misiorowski escaped by inducing Kiké Hernández to ground into an inning-ending double play. Rookie shortstop Cooper Pratt made the play, and Turang completed the turn at second.
The 35-pitch inning demonstrated how difficult Los Angeles could make things for Milwaukee’s young starter. Misiorowski allowed five hits and three walks over 4 1/3 innings, striking out five while limiting the Dodgers to one run.
The Dodgers finished with seven hits but repeatedly failed to capitalize on opportunities, grounding into three double plays and leaving nine runners stranded.
Turang and Lara Turn the Game Around
Tarik Skubal appeared comfortable through the early innings, but Milwaukee finally broke through in the fourth.
Leading off the inning, Turang drove a 2-0 sinker to the opposite field, sending it 384 feet into the Brewers’ bullpen for a solo home run. The blast tied the game at 1-1 and energized the Milwaukee crowd.
An inning later, the Brewers manufactured the deciding run without needing another extra-base hit.
Garrett Mitchell worked a walk against Skubal, and Pratt moved him into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. That brought 21-year-old rookie Luis Lara to the plate.
Lara attacked Skubal’s first-pitch changeup, sending a ground-ball single through the middle to score Mitchell and give Milwaukee a 2-1 lead.
The sequence illustrated the Brewers’ ability to combine power with the small-ball approach that helped them win 103 regular-season games.
Skubal finished five innings, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out seven. Despite a strong outing overall, the two scoring plays were enough to saddle him with the loss.
Brewers Bullpen Protects the Lead
With Misiorowski departing in the fifth, Milwaukee needed its relievers to navigate the remaining 4 2/3 innings against one of baseball’s most dangerous lineups.
They delivered.
DL Hall earned the victory after recording two outs in the fifth. Abner Uribe worked a scoreless sixth, and Aaron Ashby handled the seventh and eighth, keeping Los Angeles from mounting a comeback.
Ashby was particularly effective against the middle of the Dodgers’ lineup, retiring Freddie Freeman, Ohtani, and Teoscar Hernández during a scoreless eighth inning.
Closer Trevor Megill entered the ninth with Milwaukee protecting its one-run advantage.
He retired the first two batters before walking Kyle Tucker and pinch-hitter Josue De Paula, putting the potential tying and go-ahead runs aboard.
Mookie Betts then sent a deep fly ball toward center field, briefly threatening to overturn Milwaukee’s victory.
Mitchell tracked it to the warning track and made the catch, ending the game and securing Megill’s third save of the postseason.
The Brewers’ bullpen had completed 4 2/3 scoreless innings, turning a modest offensive performance into a crucial opening victory.
A Different Beginning for Milwaukee
Sunday’s victory gave Milwaukee something it never enjoyed during last year’s NLCS: a lead over Los Angeles. The Brewers also accomplished something they failed to do during that four-game sweep—score more than one run in a game.
Milwaukee has opened its postseason with five consecutive games decided by two runs or fewer, becoming just the fourth team in the last 110 years to do so.
Los Angeles remains a formidable opponent, particularly with its starting rotation and experienced lineup. But Game 1 exposed a familiar postseason problem: getting runners aboard means little without bringing them home.
For Milwaukee, the formula was considerably simpler. One home run, one timely single, and a bullpen that refused to surrender the lead.
Game 2 Set for Monday
The Brewers lead the NLCS 1-0 and will try to extend their advantage Monday, October 12, when the series continues at American Family Field.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto is scheduled to start for Los Angeles against Milwaukee right-hander Logan Henderson. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. CT, with coverage on FOX, FS1, FOX Deportes, and FOX One.
The American League Championship Series also begins Monday, with the Cleveland Guardians visiting the Tampa Bay Rays at 7 p.m. CT.
