Contreras powers Brewers to 2-0 NLCS lead over Dodgers
William Contreras' three-hit performance, including a home run and two RBIs, helped Milwaukee beat Los Angeles 7-4 in Game 2, giving the Brewers a 2-0 series advantage.
Milwaukee took a 2-0 lead in the National League Championship Series after a 7-4 victory over Los Angeles on Monday. Both teams opened with a run in the first inning, but the Brewers pulled ahead thanks to a strong offensive showing by catcher William Contreras.
Contreras recorded three hits in four at-bats, adding a solo home run in the fifth inning and an RBI single in the sixth that put Milwaukee ahead for good. He also drove in the team's first run in the opening frame, finishing with a walk, a run scored and three RBIs.
Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who entered the game with a 1.07 ERA in his previous five playoff starts, was removed after 2 2/3 innings, having allowed three earned runs on four hits and two walks. The Dodgers briefly reclaimed the lead in the fifth after two defensive errors by the Brewers, but could not sustain it.
Milwaukee's bullpen delivered a historic performance, posting four consecutive perfect innings to close the game. Relievers Dustin May, JoJo Romero, Abner Uribe and Aaron Ashby combined for 15 outs without allowing a baserunner, a first in postseason history for a bullpen that pitches five or more innings cleanly.
Los Angeles' top hitters struggled, going 1 for 13 with one walk. Shohei Ohtani went hitless in four at-bats, extending his series slump to 1 for 7. The Dodgers will look to spark their offense and rely on projected starter Blake Snell in Game 3.