Brewers take a 2-0 NLCS lead over the Dodgers

William Contreras hit a tying fifth-inning homer and singled home the go-ahead run in the sixth as Milwaukee beat Los Angeles 7-4. The Brewers forced Yoshinobu Yamamoto out after 2 2/3 innings and combined their patient hitting with a perfect bullpen performance to take a 2-0 NLCS lead. [5][11][14] Contreras’ tying shot traveled 436 feet and was his third homer of the postseason. [19] Why it matters: Milwaukee needs two more wins for its first National League pennant, while the Dodgers must overturn a two-game deficit to keep their bid for a third consecutive championship alive. This is not just a favorable scoreline: the Brewers have disrupted a pitcher who entered Game 2 with an 8-1 postseason record and a 2.14 ERA. [5][6][11] Key insights: Fouling off pitches helped Milwaukee raise Yamamoto’s pitch count and end his outing earlier than any of his previous postseason starts. [11] | Contreras supplied both the tying homer and the go-ahead single, connecting Milwaukee’s power hitting with its run-building approach. [5][14] | The bullpen preserved the advantage with a perfect night, making the early removal of Yamamoto only one part of the winning sequence. [14] Cheatsheet facts: What happened: Milwaukee won Game 2 by 7-4 and leads the NLCS 2-0. [5][14] | Why: Patient at-bats shortened Yamamoto’s start; Contreras tied the game and then put Milwaukee ahead; the bullpen was perfect. [5][11][14] | Who pays: The Dodgers return to Los Angeles two games behind, with their bid for a third straight championship at stake. [6][11] | What's next: Watch whether Milwaukee can collect the two additional wins it needs for the pennant as the series moves to Los Angeles. [5][6]