Brewers Achieve Historic Double Play in Divisional Series
In a scoreless encounter during the first game of the National League Division Series, the Milwaukee Brewers pulled off an unusual 8-6-2 double play against the Los Angeles Dodgers, marking a milestone in MLB postseason history.
The play, which will be etched in the memory of the fans, unfolded in the top of the fourth inning, with the bases loaded and one out.
Max Muncy hit a deep fly ball to center field. Sal Frelick, Brewers outfielder, tried to catch the ball, but it bounced off his glove, then off the wall, and finally back into his glove.
Muncy wasn’t out because the ball hit the wall, but the Dodgers’ runners, apparently thinking the ball was caught, retreated instead of advancing to the next base.
Teoscar Hernández returned to third base and then ran towards home plate. Frelick sent the ball to shortstop Joey Ortiz, who made a precise throw to catcher William Contreras, forcing Hernández to be out at home plate.Contreras, subsequently, ran towards third base and touched the pad, obtaining the forced out of Will Smith, who had returned to second base believing that Frelick had made a clean catch.
The play was officially recorded in the scorebook as a double play on a ground ball by Muncy, due to force plays at two different bases, according to official scorer Tim O’Driscoll, despite the fact that the ball was hit 404 feet away.
According to data, Muncy’s hit would have been a home run in nine baseball parks, including Dodger Stadium.
While all this was happening, Frelick stood with his arms outstretched, a look of astonishment on his face, apparently wondering what had just happened.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts challenged the call, but both outs were confirmed, ending the inning.
