Brewers Sweep Dodgers, Advance to First World Series Since 1982

After a 44-year drought, the Milwaukee Brewers are returning to the World Series. Propelled by a lockdown bullpen and consistent comebacks, the young Brewers swept the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series on Thursday, winning 6-4.

"We weren’t coming in to play patty-cake," manager Pat Murphy said. "We were hungry, and as long as it’s an even playing field, we’re going to come in and give it our best shot to win. That’s exactly what we did."

Garrett Mitchell hit a go-ahead home run in the sixth inning, and Milwaukee’s relievers closed the door in the late innings. The victory sends the Brewers, who topped the majors with 103 wins during the regular season, to their first World Series appearance since 1982. They will have a week off before hosting Cleveland or Tampa Bay in the World Series opener on Oct. 23.

Shohei Ohtani’s first home run of the postseason gave the Dodgers an early 4-0 lead in the second inning, but the Brewers mounted a comeback to complete the four-game sweep. David Hamilton hit a two-out solo shot in the ninth to provide a two-run cushion. Hamilton had only four home runs during the regular season.

"We got down early tonight and we were like, it’s going to be a great story," Brewers captain Christian Yelich said. "We’re going to come back and win this. Like, stay together, start chipping away. And that’s exactly what they did."

Aaron Ashby pitched three scoreless innings for the save, securing Milwaukee's first National League pennant. The franchise's only previous World Series appearance came in 1982, when they lost in seven games to the St. Louis Cardinals while in the American League.

The Dodgers' pursuit of a third consecutive World Series title ended with an offense that struggled and injuries to key players. "I'm not used to those consolation speeches," manager Dave Roberts said. "Those guys played flawless. You've got to sometimes tip your cap."

Milwaukee became the first team to sweep a best-of-seven postseason series after being swept by the same opponent in the previous postseason. Los Angeles swept the Brewers in the NLCS last year. "They may have a bunch of Hall of Famers, but we’ve got a bunch of gamers — and the gamers won this week," Murphy said.

The Brewers also are the first team to sweep a best-of-seven postseason series in which they trailed in every game. "There was never a doubt in that dugout what was going to happen tonight. We knew we were going to win that game," said first baseman Jake Bauers, who was named the NLCS MVP.

Mitchell’s decisive homer came in the sixth inning with the score tied 4-4. He hit a 409-foot drive to center field, his second homer of the series. "It’s absolutely surreal," Mitchell said. "You talk about the battle-tested Brewers. We went down early and the belief in that dugout got stronger and stronger."

Milwaukee's bullpen successfully navigated multiple threats from the Dodgers. Pitcher JoJo Romero struck out Max Muncy with a runner on third to end the sixth. In the seventh, Ashby struck out Ohtani and retired Mookie Betts to end the inning with the potential tying run on base. Ashby again stranded a runner at third in the eighth.

The Brewers tied the game in the fifth inning after the Dodgers bullpen issued four walks and Milwaukee stole two bases. Hamilton’s single scored Sal Frelick to pull Milwaukee within one run, 4-3. An intentional walk and subsequent walks by the Dodgers bullpen forced in Hamilton with the tying run.

Dodgers starter Tyler Glasnow retired his first 10 batters before giving up a ground-rule double to William Contreras and another to Jake Bauers, cutting the lead to 4-2 in the fourth. Ohtani's three-run homer in the second had given the Dodgers their initial lead.

Owner Mark Attanasio reflected on the significance of the win for the community. "It’s so important for the community, the entire state of Wisconsin," he said. "We’re standing on shoulders of Bud Selig and Bob Uecker."