Brewers Edge Dodgers 2-1 in NLCS Opener Behind Turang’s Homer and a Scoreless Bullpen Finish

MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Brewers needed only two runs to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series on Sunday night — and their bullpen made sure those two runs stood up.

Brice Turang hit a leadoff home run in the fourth inning and rookie Luis Lara drove in the go-ahead run in the fifth, as Milwaukee defeated Los Angeles 2-1 at American Family Field to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

The Dodgers struck first. After a four-pitch walk to Shohei Ohtani and a single by Teoscar Hernandez in the opening frame, Andy Pages singled to give Los Angeles a 1-0 lead. The Dodgers loaded the bases later in the inning but left everyone stranded, according to Just Baseball’s account of the game.

Turang tied it in the fourth, driving a Tarik Skubal sinker 384 feet into the Milwaukee bullpen in left field — the second baseman’s second career postseason home run and his first of this year’s playoffs. One inning later, Garrett Mitchell walked, Cooper Pratt laid down a sacrifice bunt, and Lara singled to center to make it 2-1.

Bullpen shuts the door

Jacob Misiorowski lasted 4 1/3 innings in his start, allowing one run on five hits and three walks while striking out five. From there, the Brewers’ bullpen — DL Hall, Abner Uribe, Aaron Ashby and closer Trevor Megill — combined for 4 2/3 scoreless innings, holding the Dodgers to two hits and three walks.

Megill earned his third save of the postseason, working around a late threat in the ninth. The Brewers’ relievers have been dominant all October: after pitching 19 innings in the NLDS against San Diego with just three runs allowed, they blanked another of the National League’s most dangerous lineups in the series opener.

Los Angeles, which is trying to become the first team to win three straight World Series titles since the 1998-2000 New York Yankees, grounded into three double plays, stranded nine runners and went 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position.

Game 2 on Monday

The Brewers reached the NLCS by beating the Padres 3-1 in Game 4 of the NLDS, while the Dodgers eliminated the Atlanta Braves to set up the rematch. Milwaukee had lost seven consecutive postseason games to Los Angeles, including a sweep in last year’s NLCS, making Sunday’s win a notable change of fortunes for one of the five current teams that have never won it all.

Game 2 is Monday in Milwaukee, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto scheduled to start for the Dodgers against the Brewers’ Logan Henderson.

Reporting based on coverage by Just Baseball and USA Today.