Overview: A potential big moment that turned into a historic double play
In a clash that set the tone for the National League Championship Series, Max Muncy’s bat nearly delivered the Dodgers a slam to spark the offense. What followed, however, became one of the most unusual and scrutinized plays in postseason history, ending the top of the fourth inning in dramatic fashion as Milwaukee preserved a low-scoring pitchers’ duel.
The setup: Bases loaded, one out, and the tension high
With the bases full and one out, Muncy lined a long drive toward center field. The trajectory carried to the wall as Sal Frelick leaped, reaching over the fence in an attempt to make the catch. The ball bounced out of Frelick’s glove and hit the top of the wall before he secured it in the air. The immediate question: was it a catch or a live ball? Dodgers runners didn’t wait for an official call and began advancing as if the ball had been ruled a flyout.
The turning point: Contreras and a heads-up play at the plate
Frelick’s initial contact sent the defense scrambling. He immediately fired to shortstop Joey Ortiz, who relayed to catcher William Contreras. Aware that a force play was still in effect, Contreras stretched for home plate and touched the dish with his right foot, a crucial move that signaled the ball was live. Teoscar Hernández slid in at home, but Contreras had already tagged the plate, forcing him out without a tag needed for a non-catcher’s play if the ball hadn’t been touched cleanly.
The sequence continues: A second force and an unusual ending
After the initial force at home, Contreras quickly jogged to third base to force out Will Smith, who had retreated to second thinking Frelick had secured the catch. The sequence completed as a rare 8-6-2 double play — an inning-ending play that involved a force at home, followed by a force at third, and finally the runner from second being ruled out. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts explained that the miscue amid the live ball created the odd but correct call once replay reviewed the action.
Reaction and significance: An unordinary moment with precise calls
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised the fielding crew for getting the calls right after the challenge. ”Honestly, I didn’t know they ruled it a no-catch,” he said, noting the importance of the forceouts in completing the unusual ending. William Contreras’s quick decision-making and awareness—”the ball is live once it hits the glove; you can’t assume a clean catch”—proved decisive, as the Dodgers escaped with a 2-1 victory.
Historical context: A rare postseason occurrence
Statcast data highlighted the play’s distance and rarity. The 404-foot line drive was the second-longest projected distance for a ball that turned into a double play since 2015, and there had not been an 8-6-2 postseason double play in 35 years, according to Elias Sports Bureau. The closest recent counterpart in memory involved Sammy Sosa in 2004, though that example concluded with a different end result for the baserunners.
What it means going forward
While Muncy’s swing didn’t yield a grand slam, the moment underscored the Dodgers’ resilience and the Brewers’ ability to pivot under pressure. The result set a demanding tone for the rest of the series, spotlighting the fine line between a game-changing hit and a game-defining defensive play. For Muncy, the memory might sting, but it also illustrates the unpredictable nature of postseason baseball and the importance of baserunning awareness in high-leverage moments.
Bottom line
Baseball’s postseason is filled with dramatic swings, and Game 1 delivered another unforgettable chapter. A potential grand slam turning into an 8-6-2 double play will be discussed by players, managers, and fans as a rare, rule-accurate moment that hinged on live-ball awareness and precise execution at the plate.
