Los Angeles Dodgers star Teoscar Hernández found himself at the center of a historic and head-scratching play during Game 1 of the NL Championship Series, a bizarre 8-6-2 double play against the Milwaukee Brewers that instantly captivated social media. Despite the gaffe, which he candidly calls his own mistake, the Dodgers ultimately secured a crucial 2-1 victory, sparking extensive debate and analysis among baseball fans.
In the high-stakes environment of the National League Championship Series, every play is scrutinized, but some stand out more than others. Game 1 between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers provided one such moment when outfielder Teoscar Hernández was involved in a rare 8-6-2 double play, a sequence that he swiftly and unequivocally attributed to his own error.
The incident, which occurred on Monday, October 13, 2025, in Milwaukee, quickly spread across social media, becoming a viral sensation. Hernández’s honesty about his misjudgment, coupled with the sheer improbability of the play, has made it a focal point of early NLCS discussions.
Deconstructing the Double Play: What Went Wrong?
The fourth inning saw Hernández on third base with the bases loaded and one out, after walking earlier in the inning. Dodgers teammate Max Muncy hit a towering drive that initially appeared destined for a grand slam over the center-field wall. Milwaukee’s center fielder, Sal Frelick, made an extraordinary effort, leaping to try and rob the home run. The ball popped out of Frelick’s glove, hit the top of the wall, and was then caught by Frelick in the air.
This sequence created immediate confusion. The Dodgers’ base runners, including Hernández, had retreated to their bases, anticipating a catch. However, once the ball was caught by Frelick after hitting the wall, Hernández still had ample time to tag up and score. Instead, he hesitated. Frelick quickly threw to shortstop Joey Ortiz, who relayed to catcher William Contreras, forcing Hernández out at the plate. Adding to the rarity, Contreras then completed the double play by throwing to third, forcing out Will Smith, who had been on second base when the play began. This incredible chain of events resulted in an 8-6-2 double play.
Hernández’s Honest Self-Assessment and the ‘Brain Fart’
Just a day after the incident, Hernández was remarkably forthright about his mistake. He admitted to watching a replay of the bizarre play only once, finding no need for further viewings. “I saw it once,” the Dodgers star stated on Tuesday, as reported by the Associated Press. “Once the play was over, I realized I just (messed) up. Just one of those things that you don’t have to see it over and over to realize that you made a mistake.”
He continued, expressing his frustration with his in-the-moment reaction: “It was one of those plays that, if you would have asked me two days ago what would you do in this situation, I would say as soon as the ball touched the glove, I would go. But in the moment, I got blocked, I think, and there’s not an explanation. I just (messed) up. It’s that simple.” He concluded by taking full accountability: “But there’s nobody to blame but myself. And it happens.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts echoed Hernández’s sentiment, describing the outfielder’s reaction as simply “freezing.” “Teo knows the rule. I think right there he had just a little bit of a brain fart, appreciating that when it does hit the glove, you can tag (up) there,” Roberts explained. “But then he tagged, did it correctly, then saw he didn’t catch it, (and) he went back. That was the mistake. But he owned it. And after that, there’s nothing else you can do about it.”
A Play for the History Books: Rarity and Fan Reactions
The 8-6-2 double play is a genuine rarity in baseball. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, there had not been an 8-6-2 double play in the postseason over the last 35 years. The most recent instance in the regular season involved a ball hit by Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa to Cincinnati center fielder Ken Griffey Jr. in April 2004, though that particular play also ended with a tag at the plate. This historical context only amplifies the uniqueness of Hernández’s error on such a grand stage.
Beyond the statistics, the human element of the play made it instantly viral. Brewers shortstop Joey Ortiz noted that Sal Frelick’s reaction—a “pretty funny face” after the catch—was “all over the social media right now.” This candid observation highlights how deeply fans engage with the unexpected and memorable moments of the game, turning a critical error into a widely shared clip. The collective disbelief and humor from the fan community around Frelick’s expression, coupled with Hernández’s transparent admission of guilt, created a multi-layered narrative that resonated across various platforms.
Moving Forward: The Impact on the NLCS
Despite the memorable blunder, the Los Angeles Dodgers managed to overcome the fourth-inning double play, securing a narrow 2-1 victory in Game 1. This resilience is a testament to the team’s ability to compartmentalize and focus on the overall objective. While Hernández’s play will undoubtedly be a topic of discussion for years to come, his immediate acceptance of responsibility and the team’s subsequent win allow the Dodgers to move forward with a clear mindset, focusing on the remainder of the NLCS. For a detailed breakdown of the game, including reactions to the historic double play, fans can refer to reports from MLB.com.
