The Milwaukee Brewers orchestrated one of the most baffling and impactful double plays in MLB postseason history against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series, turning a potential grand slam into a stunning inning-ending rally that preserved an early tie.
In a moment that will be replayed and analyzed for years, the Milwaukee Brewers pulled off a double play against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series that defied belief. What appeared to be a game-breaking grand slam for the Dodgers instead became a stunning, inning-ending sequence, leaving both teams and fans alike scratching their heads.
The Setup: Bases Loaded, One Out
The stage was set for a pivotal moment in the top of the fourth inning, with the game knotted at 0-0. Dodgers’ left-handed slugger Max Muncy stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and only one out. The Brewers had started Aaron Ashby for an inning before turning to Quinn Priester for the bulk of the work, while the Dodgers countered with ace Blake Snell. This was a prime scoring opportunity for Los Angeles.
Muncy delivered, smashing a long drive to deep center field. It sailed toward the wall, carrying the promise of four runs and a significant early lead for the Dodgers. Brewers center fielder Sal Frelick, however, had other plans.
The Play Unfolds: A Tap, a Bounce, a Catch
As Muncy’s towering shot approached the fence, Frelick made a heroic leap, reaching over the wall in an attempt to snare the ball. In a sequence that triggered immediate confusion, the ball popped out of Frelick’s glove, struck the very top of the outfield wall, and then caromed back into Frelick’s waiting hands. He secured the ball in the air, preventing it from hitting the ground.
The crucial detail here, and the source of much of the ensuing chaos, was that the ball hit the wall. According to MLB rules, if a fielder attempts to catch a ball over the fence and it deflects off their glove but hits the wall before being secured, it is not considered a catch. Instead, it’s a live ball in play. This meant Muncy was not out, and the Dodgers’ runners were free to advance.
Baserunning Blunders and a Lightning-Fast Relay
However, the Dodgers’ base runners, understandably assuming Frelick had made a clean catch on the fly, scrambled back to their respective bases to tag up. This momentary hesitation proved costly.
- Frelick, realizing the ball was live, quickly threw to shortstop Joey Ortiz.
- Ortiz fired a perfect strike to catcher William Contreras, who planted his foot on home plate.
- Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernández, who had been on third base, slid across the plate, but Contreras’s throw beat him, resulting in a force out at home.
The confusion didn’t end there. With Hernández out at the plate, Contreras, ever alert, immediately turned his attention to third base. Dodgers’ runner Will Smith, who had been on second, had retreated to second base believing Frelick had made the catch. Contreras sprinted to third base and tagged it, forcing Smith out as well. Just like that, a potential grand slam turned into an unbelievable inning-ending double play.
The Replay Review and the Baserunning Gaffe
The Dodgers immediately challenged the call, hoping for a reprieve, but a replay review confirmed the force outs at home and third. The official scoring of the play was an 8-6-2 GIDP (ground into double play), a highly unusual scoring for a ball hit to deep center field. You can watch the play and the reaction here, as shared by USA Today.
Further analysis, including insights from Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, revealed that Teoscar Hernández made a critical baserunning error. A base runner can tag up as soon as the ball hits the fielder’s glove, even if it’s bobbled, meaning Hernández did not need to retreat to third base and tag again. This misjudgment likely cost the Dodgers at least one run and significantly altered the complexion of the inning.
The Impact: A Massive Momentum Shift
For the Brewers, this bizarre play was a lifeline. It saved them from falling into an early deficit, preserving the 0-0 tie. The energy in the ballpark instantly shifted from dread to jubilation. Such plays, born out of a combination of athletic skill, quick thinking, rules interpretation, and opponent error, become legendary in postseason lore. For fans, it’s a testament to the unpredictable nature of baseball and why every single play, no matter how routine it seems, can turn into something extraordinary.
The play’s rarity and the profound impact it had on a critical playoff game elevate it to a discussion among the most bizarre plays in MLB history. It showcased the Brewers’ resilience and alertness, while highlighting the fine margins that define victory and defeat in October baseball.
What it Means for the Series
While only one inning in Game 1, this double play could be a defining moment for the entire series. It denied the Dodgers momentum, energized the Brewers, and showcased the mental toughness of Milwaukee’s defense. Baserunning mistakes, especially in the postseason, are often magnified, and this one will undoubtedly be a teaching moment for the Dodgers moving forward. The Brewers’ ability to capitalize on the chaos demonstrates their championship mettle.
Baseball fans thrive on these unexpected twists, debating the nuances of the rules and the split-second decisions that alter outcomes. This 8-6-2 double play will certainly be a centerpiece of those discussions, cementing its place in the annals of postseason baseball history. For more details on the incident, you can review the coverage from USA Today.
