The Los Angeles Dodgers didn’t fully capitalize on their opportunities early but still managed to come away with a 4-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series. The Dodgers enter Wednesday in position to complete a sweep and advance to the National League Division Series.
Brent Suter labored through 1.2 innings and put the Brewers in an immediate deficit. Mookie Betts led off the bottom of the first with a double, then Suter walked Corey Seager and Max Muncy to load the bases. He also put Will Smith and AJ Pollock on, allowing the Dodgers to take a 2-0 lead.
Doubles by Chris Taylor and Betts in the second inning extended the Dodgers’ lead. Suter was removed after walking Muncy for a second time in the game. Suter’s five walks on the night matched how many he issued in 31.2 innings pitched this season.
Walker Buehler was dominating through the early portion of his start, allowing just one hit and collecting six strikeouts through three scoreless innings. He was on the verge of getting through the fourth with 3-0 lead and stranding a double but allowed a two-run homer to Orlando Arcia.
Buehler’s night came to an end at 73 pitches over four innings. There weren’t any overt signs of his blister becoming an issue, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said prior to the game it was something the training staff would closely monitor and work to stay ahead of.
The much-discussed Brewers bullpen lived up to its reputation as Eric Yardley and Justin Topa combined to retire 10 batters in a row. Cody Bellinger snapped the string with a leadoff single in the bottom of the sixth inning, only to immediately be erased on a double play.
As the Dodgers offense went quiet, Julio Urias answered the bell out of the bullpen as he turned in xx scoreless innings. He stranded Christian Yelich after a base hit in the fifth, then Garcia Avisail Garcia in the sixth when he reached on a blooper and moved into scoring position when Max Muncy booted it, and Yelich again following his two-out double in the seventh.
Two batters after Betts flied out to the wall in left field, Corey Seager provided some insurance with a no-doubt solo shot to straightaway center in the seventh. At 447 feet, it was good for the longest home run hit at Dodger Stadium this season.
Blake Treinen worked around a two-out single in the eighth inning, and Kenley Jansen struck out Yelich to complete the save after issuing a walk with two outs.
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