After failing to close out the National League Championship Series in Game 6, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers both went into play Saturday facing the reality of either advancing to the World Series or abruptly having their season come to an end.
The Brewers were first to light up the scoreboard as Christian Yelich took Walker Buehler deep for a solo home run in the first inning. But their 1-0 lead didn’t hold long, as Manny Machado and Cody Bellinger responded in the second inning.
What initially appeared to be a strange decision by Machado paid off. Despite having two strikes on him, Machado managed to drop down a bunt single. Bellinger then followed with a no-doubter to give the Dodgers a 2-1 lead.
That score held, in large part thanks to Chris Taylor making a terrific catch in left-center field to rob Yelich of a game-tying hit to end the fifth inning. Then in sixth, Yasiel Puig provided insurance with a three-run homer.
After Walker Buehler went 4.2 innings, the Dodgers relied on Julio Urias, Ryan Madson, Kenley Jansen and Clayton Kershaw to finish out the 5-1 victory.
With a 23rd NL pennant in franchise history and back in the World Series for a second consecutive year, the Dodgers let loose for the rest of the night. Though, it also included an emotional moment when Kiké Hernandez revealed to the team that Julio Urias pitched with a heavy heart.
Included below is a roundup of the best from their clubhouse celebration.
Back-to-back National League champions!
Relive the final out of the @Dodgers' #Game7 victory via #ClinchCam! pic.twitter.com/MwbHpaDXI8
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) October 21, 2018
Before Doc’s speech, @kikehndez told the team that @theteenager7’s grandmother passed last night and he still came and put in work. This is for you, Julio! #LADetermined pic.twitter.com/3pjvs7gDtn
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 21, 2018
Get hyped, @Cody_Bellinger. pic.twitter.com/apNH4IpIeR
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 21, 2018
Drink it in, @Awood45! pic.twitter.com/Ixa4Y7m7Uf
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 21, 2018
We got one more to get #WORLDSERIES @therealmattkemp @dodgers #LADetermined #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/F9KbWdqLku
— Kenley Jansen (@kenleyjansen74) October 21, 2018
You got enough bottles there, @kikehndez? pic.twitter.com/UwqvrupxkQ
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 21, 2018
.@TheRealMattKemp, you good? 😂 pic.twitter.com/WKtSlLXtjE
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 21, 2018
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