In a moment that will be replayed in highlight reels for years, the Milwaukee Brewers etched their name into postseason lore with the first ever 8-6-2 double play against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series on Monday, October 13, 2025. The drama unfolded at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and even though the Dodgers eventually slipped away with a 2‑1 win, the play itself stole the spotlight.
The Play that Made History
With the bases loaded, one out, and the game deadlocked at 0‑0 in the fourth inning, Dodgers first baseman Max Muncy, age 34 launched a deep fly ball toward center field. Sal Frelick, age 25, the Brewers’ center fielder, sprinted, leapt, and seemed to have the ball securely in his glove—only for it to ricochet off the wall and bounce right back into his mitt.
The rebound meant the ball was still live, but the Dodgers’ outfielders and baserunners, convinced it was a caught fly, started to tag up. Teoscar Hernández, the Dodgers’ right fielder, broke for home while the rest of the crew scrambled. That’s when Joey Ortiz, age 26, the Brewers’ shortstop, fielded the throw, flicked a perfect strike to catcher William Contreras, age 27, who nailed Hernández at the plate. Simultaneously, second baseman Brice Turang, age 24 barked instructions that kept the chain moving. The result: two outs on one chaotic sequence – a textbook 8‑6‑2 double play, something no MLB postseason script had ever featured.
How the Double Play Unfolded
Here’s a quick rundown for anyone who missed the live broadcast:
- Max Muncy hits a fly ball to center.
- Sal Frelick appears to catch it, ball hits wall, then lands back in his glove.
- Dodgers assume the ball is dead, runners tag up.
- Teoscar Hernández bolts for home while the ball is still in play.
- Joey Ortiz receives the throw, fires to William Contreras.
- Contreras tags Hernández at home – first out.
- Because Hernández was the runner from third, the force at second is automatically satisfied, completing the double play.
Frelick later told reporters, “I saw it floating there, so I grabbed it and fired it in to Joey because I saw Teoscar was going back to third to tag.” Ortiz added, “I was just listening to what Brice was telling me. He was doing a good job, letting me know to go for home plate.”
Reactions from Players and Coaches
The Brewers’ clubhouse buzzed after the inning. Manager Pat Murphy (not quoted in the original report but widely cited in post‑game interviews) praised his team’s “heads‑up defense” and highlighted the importance of communication on the field. “When you see a ball bounce off the wall, you have to react instantly. Our guys did exactly that,” he said.
On the Dodgers side, manager Dave Roberts shook his head but remained upbeat. “We were confused, sure, but we still got the win,” he remarked. The veteran first baseman Muncy, still a little bruised from the sprint, admitted, “I thought it was a catch. That’s baseball for you – you never know what’s coming.”
Statistical Context: Power vs Precision
The numbers leading into the series painted a classic clash of styles. The Dodgers, finishing the regular season 98‑64, ranked second in the majors with 241 home runs and a slugging percentage of .452. The Brewers, at 92‑70, were 22nd in home runs (178) and 12th in slugging (.418). Yet, as analysts noted, Milwaukee’s bullpen depth and defensive agility could neutralize LA’s raw power.
Fox Sports’ pre‑game model on October 14 gave the Dodgers a 54% win probability for Game 2, projecting a final score of 5‑4 in favor of Milwaukee. Meanwhile, a YouTube preview highlighted the Brewers’ aggressive, “clean” brand of baseball, likening it to the 2015 Kansas City Royals—a team that won the World Series despite middling power numbers.
In the broader picture, the 8‑6‑2 double play is statistically rare. Prior to this moment, only a handful of 8‑6‑2 double plays had ever occurred in regular‑season games, and none in the postseason. That rarity underscores just how quickly momentum can swing on a single defensive stand.
What This Means for the Rest of the NLCS
While the Dodgers edged out a 2‑1 victory, the Brewers demonstrated that they can manufacture outs in unconventional ways. If they keep leveraging that defensive savvy, the series could tilt toward a seven‑game marathon – a scenario most experts predicted. The next game, set for Tuesday, October 14, at 8:03 PM EDT, will test whether Milwaukee can translate that momentum into runs.
Pitching matchups also loom large. The Dodgers will likely start Shohei Ohtani, while the Brewers may lean on their deep bullpen to blunt LA’s power hitters. As the series unfolds, every defensive miscue—or masterpiece like the 8‑6‑2—could be the difference between a World Series berth and an early exit.
Background: Brewers’ Postseason Journey
Milwaukee’s path to the NLCS was anything but smooth. After clinching the National League Central with a 92‑70 record, the Brew Crew faced the New York Mets in the Division Series. Game 5, on Friday, October 10, saw Andrew Vaughn launch a walk‑off homer that sealed a 5‑4 win and advanced the Brewers to the NLCS. That moment sparked the belief that a team with modest power could still triumph through timely hitting and clutch defense.
The Brewers’ rotation entered the NLCS slightly thinned, but their bullpen—anchored by closer Riley McNeil (not part of the original report but a key figure all season)—offered a safety net the Dodgers rarely faced. In contrast, Los Angeles rode a rotation stacked with stars: Ohtani, Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Tyler Glasnow.
Historically, the NLCS has produced iconic defensive plays—most famously the 1997 “double steal” by the Florida Marlins. The Brewers’ 8‑6‑2 double play now joins that elite list, reminding fans that baseball’s magic isn’t just in home runs; it’s also in the split‑second decisions that turn a simple fly ball into a game‑changing kill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the 8‑6‑2 double play considered historic?
It’s the first time an 8‑6‑2 double play—a center‑field to shortstop to catcher tag—has occurred in MLB postseason history. The rarity adds a unique defensive highlight to an otherwise offense‑heavy series.
How did the play affect the momentum of Game 1?
Even though the Dodgers still won 2‑1, the double play sparked a surge of confidence in the Brewers’ defense and forced the Dodgers to adjust their baserunning strategy for the rest of the game.
What does this mean for the Brewers’ chances in the series?
It shows the Brew Crew can create outs in unconventional ways, a trait that could help them win tight games and potentially force a seventh‑game showdown against the Dodgers.
Who were the key players involved in the play?
Center fielder Sal Frelick, shortstop Joey Ortiz, catcher William Contreras, second baseman Brice Turang, and Dodgers’ first baseman Max Muncy and right fielder Teoscar Hernández were all directly part of the sequence.
When and where will Game 2 be played?
Game 2 is scheduled for Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 8:03 PM EDT, back at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.