William Contreras supplied the decisive blows as the Milwaukee Brewers overcame the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-4 in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series on Monday, giving Milwaukee a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven matchup.
Contreras launched a tying home run in the fifth inning and followed with a run-scoring single in the sixth that produced the go-ahead run. His two hits were central to the Brewers’ offensive surge that ultimately put pressure on the two-time defending World Series champions.
Bullpen shuts door
Four Brewers relievers combined to retire the final 15 Dodgers batters in order, shutting down any hope of a Los Angeles comeback. The bullpen performance preserved the margin and underscored Milwaukee’s ability to rely on its arms late in the game as the series shifts to Los Angeles.
What’s next
The series now heads to Los Angeles for Game 3 on Wednesday. With the Brewers up 2-0, the Dodgers face the task of avoiding a deeper hole on their home field in a matchup that will shape the momentum for the remaining games.
Other postseason notes
In American League action, the Cleveland Guardians won Game 1 of the ALCS against the Tampa Bay Rays, adding to the wild-card mix of storylines across Major League Baseball’s championship rounds.