Dodgers Edge Brewers in Tense NLCS Opener; Mariners Cruise in ALCS
The Los Angeles Dodgers secured a nail-biting 2-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series on Tuesday at American Family Field. The defending World Series champions took an early lead in the best-of-seven series, signaling a strong start in their campaign for a consecutive Fall Classic appearance.
Meanwhile, in the American League, the Seattle Mariners continued their dominant postseason run, defeating the Toronto Blue Jays 10-3 to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the ALCS.
Snell’s Near-Perfect Performance Leads Dodgers
The Dodgers’ victory was anchored by a masterful performance from starting pitcher Blake Snell, who delivered a historic outing. Snell pitched eight scoreless innings, allowing only one hit and no walks while striking out ten batters. After allowing a single in the third inning, he promptly picked off the runner, facing the minimum 24 batters through eight frames. This feat made Snell the first pitcher since Don Larsen’s perfect game in the 1956 World Series to face the minimum number of batters through eight innings of a postseason game. With the win, Snell became the first starting pitcher to reach three wins this postseason.
Los Angeles got on the board early with a solo home run from Freddie Freeman. The game remained a 1-0 pitcher’s duel until the top of the ninth when Mookie Betts drew a bases-loaded walk to extend the lead to 2-0.
The Dodgers then turned to Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki to close the game. However, Sasaki ran into trouble, allowing a walk and a double. A sacrifice fly by Milwaukee’s Jackson Chourio cut the lead to 2-1. After another walk loaded the bases, the Dodgers brought in reliever Blake Treinen, who struck out Brice Turang to end the threat and secure the dramatic win. Korean infielder Ha-Seong Kim, who was named to the Dodgers’ NLCS roster, did not play in the game.
A Bizarre and Historic Double Play
Game 1 also featured one of the most unusual plays in recent postseason history. In what initially appeared to be a potential home run, a deep fly ball—traveling an estimated 403 feet—resulted in a rare 8-6-2 center-field double play. Milwaukee center fielder Sal Frelick seemingly made the catch against the wall, but the ball popped out, hit the fence, and fell back into his glove.
The Dodgers’ baserunners, confused by the play, reacted late. Teoscar Hernández, the runner on third, was easily thrown out at home after a delayed tag-up attempt. Catcher William Contreras, noticing the runner at second had not advanced, then stepped on third base to complete the inning-ending double play. According to AP, this was the first 8-6-2 double play recorded in the MLB postseason in at least 35 years.
Mariners Power Past Blue Jays
In the ALCS, the Seattle Mariners showcased their offensive firepower on the road against the Toronto Blue Jays. A three-run homer by Julio Rodríguez in the first inning set the tone, followed by another three-run shot from Jorge Polanco in the fifth. Josh Naylor sealed the convincing 10-3 victory with a two-run home run in the seventh inning.
The Mariners, a franchise founded in 1977, are now just two wins away from their first World Series appearance in their 48-year history.
