Dodgers on Verge of Postseason Exit After Falling Behind Brewers 2-0
William Contreras' timely hitting propels Milwaukee to a commanding lead over the heavily favored Los Angeles team.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are on the brink of a stunning postseason exit after losing a second consecutive game to the Milwaukee Brewers, who now hold a 2-0 lead in the National League Championship Series. William Contreras was the catalyst for the Brewers, hitting a game-tying home run in the fifth inning and delivering the go-ahead single in the sixth.
Four Milwaukee relievers then combined to retire the final 15 Dodgers batters, securing the victory and putting the pressure squarely on the World Series favorites. The series now shifts to Los Angeles for Game 3 on Wednesday, with the Brewers chasing their first pennant since 1982.
The Dodgers, aiming to become the first National League team to win three straight World Series, have struggled offensively. They managed just three hits in Game 2 and are now 2 for 26 with runners in scoring position this postseason. Their typically reliable ace, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, had his shortest postseason start, lasting only 2 2/3 innings.
'Just wasn't sharp today,' Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. 'He just didn't have it tonight, which is very rare.'
The Brewers responded to every Dodgers threat. After Milwaukee trailed 2-1 in the third, Brice Turang walked with the bases loaded and Christian Yelich followed with a two-run single that knocked Yamamoto from the game.
Los Angeles briefly tied the game in the fifth. Kyle Tucker hit a leadoff double and advanced to third on a wild throw by Brewers starter Logan Henderson. He then scored on an ensuing error by Henderson, and Tommy Edman later scored on Freddie Freeman's sacrifice fly.
However, the Brewers' bullpen proved dominant. Dustin May, JoJo Romero, Abner Uribe, and Aaron Ashby combined for four hitless innings, allowing only one earned run over 28 2/3 postseason innings for the Brewers' relief corps. Milwaukee's bullpen has allowed just one earned run in 28 2/3 postseason innings.
Contreras's home run in the fifth inning tied the game, and his single in the sixth gave Milwaukee the lead. Turang and Jake Bauers added RBI singles in the eighth to extend the lead.
Henderson, who entered the game with an impressive postseason record, allowed four runs over four innings, though only two were earned due to his two errors. Robert Gasser is expected to start Game 3 for Milwaukee, while the Dodgers have yet to announce their Game 3 starting pitcher.