The Los Angeles defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 2-1 in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series, leading the series 1-0 and taking home field advantage.
Blake Snell had a historically dominant performance, pitching eight shutout innings, allowing just one hit and striking out 10.
More news: decide when Shohei Ohtani and Tyler Glasnow will start in NLCS
NLCS Game 1 Recap
The and Brewers had a pitching battle in Game 1, and Snell continued to look like one of the best pitchers in the game.
Left-hander Aaron Ashby batted first for the Brewers, and the two southpaws traded zero runs in the first inning.
The Brewers brought on right-hander Quinn Priester in the second inning, and he and Snell had little trouble shutting down opposing batters.
Brewers third baseman Caleb Durbin got his first hit of the game in the bottom of the third inning, but was caught stealing and retired.
The had their first trouble in the fourth inning, when LA loaded the bases with a walk and two singles. Then Max Muncy came along and smashed a ball 404 feet to center field.
However, center fielder Sal Frelich robbed Muncy of a potential long base while also reversing one of the most improbable double plays imaginable. Click here to learn more about Wild Double Play.
read more: lose multiple points due to Saru Frelick’s controversial defense in Game 1 of NLCS
After all the confusion in the play, Snell came back and pitched a much-needed 1-2-3 innings. The then gave up two more runs in the fifth inning, with Snell pitching another 1-2-3 frame in the bottom half of that.
The finally broke through in the top of the sixth inning when Freddie Freeman hit a solo home run into the right field seats. This seemed to be enough for Snell, who pitched two more innings in the 6th and 7th innings, 1-2-3. At this point, he had thrown 91 pitches and was playing the bare minimum against the Brewers.
Snell returned in the eighth inning, becoming the first pitcher to pitch in the eighth inning since Clayton Kershaw in 2020. He pitched another 1-2-3 innings before being stopped by a strikeout, his 103rd pitch of the night.
The added another run in the top of the 9th inning, with the bases loaded, and then Mookie Betts walked and scored a run. Alex Cole popped out as a pinch hitter and Freeman hit a fly ball to end the inning.
Right-handed pitcher Aki Sasaki relieved Snell in the bottom of the 9th inning and found himself in his first pinch of the postseason. He allowed a walk and a double, and the Brewers tied the score with one out and in scoring position.
Jackson Chourio hit a sacrifice fly to make it 2-1, Sasaki walked Christian Yelich, and Dave Roberts brought in Blake Treinen.
Treinen walked William Contreras and gave Bryce Turan two outs with the bases loaded. Treinen struck out Turan, giving LA a 1-0 lead in the NLCS.
When will the play next?
Game 2 of the NLCS between the and Brewers will be Tuesday, October 14th, with first pitch at 5:08pm PT.
Photo credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Have you downloaded the new Nation app yet? Click here for Apple users and Click here for Android users It’s part of a redesigned app that gives fans everything they need in one placee. Don’t miss it Live GameCast with play-by-play, news and analysis, Nation podcasts and videos, all the stats you need, and more.