Blake Snell dominated with 10 strikeouts over 8 scoreless innings to shut down the Brewers as the Dodgers secured a Game 1 victory in the National League Championship Series.

During Game 1 of the MLB National League Championship Series, the Dodgers faced the Brewers on the road. Blake Snell delivered a masterful outing with 8 innings pitched, 10 strikeouts, and no runs given up. Combined with a key homer from Freddie Freeman, the Dodgers overcame bullpen struggles to take the 2-1 lead.

Shohei Ohtani walked to start the game but his teammates failed to capitalize, leaving the first inning scoreless. In the bottom half, Blake Snell struck out two of the Brewers’ first three batters, allowing no one to reach base.

In the top of the second, after two outs, Max Muncy drew a walk to reach first base. Enrique Hernández then struck out on three pitches, leaving runners stranded. In the bottom half, Snell continued to dominate, retiring all six batters he faced.

In the top of the third, after Andy Pages grounded out, Shohei Ohtani battled through an 8-pitch at-bat before flying out to the outfield. Mookie Betts then grounded out, ending the inning.

In the bottom of the third, Caleb Durbin recorded the first hit of the game for either team. Snell remained composed, striking out Isaac Collins, catching Durbin stealing, and retiring Joey Ortiz on a groundout, effectively ending the inning without allowing any runs.

In the top of the fourth, Teoscar Hernández was walked. Freddie Freeman hit a strong line drive but was caught out. Will Smith and Tommy Edman followed with consecutive hits to load the bases. Muncy then hit a deep fly ball that the outfielder failed to catch cleanly, allowing the ball to roll to the home run wall and forcing runners to advance. The Brewers quickly threw out the runner trying to score at home and then tagged out the runner advancing from second to third, snuffing out a prime scoring opportunity for the Dodgers.

Despite missing the scoring chance, Snell remained unfazed, striking out two batters before inducing a weak ground ball from William Contreras to end the inning with another 1-2-3 frame.

In the top of the fifth, Hernández opened with a long hit, but Pages grounded out without moving the runner. Ohtani was intentionally walked, and Betts hit into a double play, leaving the score still tied at 0-0.

In the top of the sixth, Freddie Freeman broke the deadlock with a home run, giving the Dodgers the lead. Smith singled, and Edman was walked. The Brewers then made a pitching change, bringing in Jared Koenig to replace Chad Patrick. Koenig quickly retired Muncy and struck out Hernández, halting the Dodgers’ momentum.

In the top of the eighth, the Dodgers tried to add insurance runs. Freeman nearly extended his power display with a double, Smith’s deep fly ball advanced runners but was caught, and Edman battled through a 9-pitch at-bat before striking out, leaving the lead unchanged.

In the bottom half, Snell continued his dominant pitching, maintaining strong control and preventing the Brewers from reaching base, preserving the Dodgers’ 1-run advantage.

In the top of the ninth, the Dodgers mounted another rally. Muncy walked, Hernández singled, and Pages successfully executed a sacrifice bunt, putting runners on second and third. The Brewers chose to intentionally walk Ohtani again, and Betts drew a critical walk to bring in the important second run.

In the final inning, the Dodgers turned to Roki Sasaki to close the game. After recording the first out, he issued a walk, then gave up a deep hit to Jake Bauers. Jackson Chourio followed with a sacrifice fly, allowing the Brewers to score and narrow the gap to 1-2. After walking Christian Yelich, the Dodgers brought in Blake Treinen to relieve Sasaki.

Contreras patiently drew a walk to load the bases, but Treinen struck out Brice Turang to preserve the lead. The Dodgers ultimately held on to win 2-1, taking the first game of the series.