Brewers Beat Dodgers 7-4 to Take 2-0 NLCS Lead

Milwaukee moved within two wins of the World Series after the Brewers defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-4 on Monday in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series at Milwaukee. William Contreras led the offense with a home run and a go-ahead RBI single, while four relievers combined for five perfect innings to secure a 2-0 series advantage over the defending champions.

The victory came through patient at-bats, timely hitting and dominant relief pitching, according to the game's statistics reported by ESPN. Milwaukee, which won a franchise-record 103 games during the regular season, continued to rely on the approach that helped establish it as one of baseball's strongest teams.

Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who threw a complete game against Milwaukee during Los Angeles' NLCS sweep the previous year, lasted less than three innings. The Brewers averaged 5.3 pitches per plate appearance against him, and he recorded only four swing-and-misses on 75 pitches.

Jake Bauers illustrated Milwaukee's patient approach by drawing a 12-pitch walk in the third inning, shortly before Yamamoto left the game.

"He's a great pitcher," Bauers said. "There's not a lot to do damage on when he's on the mound. That being said, the kind of the approach that we've cultivated here, I think it plays against anybody if we execute it well."

After Yamamoto's departure, the game became more competitive as defensive mistakes helped Los Angeles score four runs. Both teams committed two errors, but Contreras' fifth-inning home run tied the score before his RBI single in the sixth put Milwaukee ahead.

Milwaukee's bullpen then shut down the Dodgers completely. Dustin May, JoJo Romero, Abner Uribe and Aaron Ashby combined to retire every batter over five innings, marking the first time in postseason history that a team recorded five consecutive perfect relief innings, according to ESPN Research.

The Brewers' relievers have surrendered just one earned run across 28⅔ postseason innings, producing a 0.31 ERA.

"We just go out there and compete and compete, pitch by pitch," Uribe said. "Doesn't matter what the situation, just compete."

The bullpen's performance has also provided confidence to Milwaukee's starting pitchers. Jacob Misiorowski and Logan Henderson, the starters in Games 1 and 2, respectively, both exited before completing five innings.

"They've been sensational all year," Henderson said. "It's really fun to watch. We've got the ultimate trust in those guys. For them to do it time in and time out, it's awesome."

Brewers manager Pat Murphy has resisted describing his team's approach as a distinctive style, despite the growing attention surrounding what observers call Brewers Ball. Milwaukee's formula combines disciplined plate appearances, contact hitting, situational execution and dependable relief pitching.

Before the game, Murphy downplayed the idea that Milwaukee plays differently from other teams.

"I don't think we play any different than anybody else. I really don't. And I hear it a lot. 'Oh, I love the way you guys play.'" Murphy said.

After the victory, however, the manager praised his players' determination against a Dodgers team seeking another championship.

"This year, they don't want to be denied, and they're going against arguably one of the best teams in baseball ever put together," Murphy said. "And they don't care. They won't be denied. It starts with the dude behind the dish."

Contreras delivered on both sides of the game, contributing crucial hits while managing Milwaukee's pitchers. His teammates also credited his work behind the plate as an important part of the team's success.

"It's amazing," Misiorowski said. "That dude's unreal. It's awesome to have him behind the plate."

Ashby recorded the final five outs despite having faced seven batters during Game 1 less than 24 hours earlier. His performance continued a strong postseason run for a bullpen that has consistently protected Milwaukee's leads.

"It's just like it feels like [Contreras] is throwing down the right signs," Ashby said. "The guys are executing, believing in what we've planned to do. That's what it's supposed to look like."

Milwaukee now heads to Dodger Stadium with a 2-0 advantage in the best-of-seven NLCS. The Brewers are seeking their first World Series appearance since 1982, while Los Angeles is pursuing a third consecutive championship for a National League franchise.

"The job is far from far from over," Ashby said. "Everyone in here respects the team across the field immensely."