Unbelievable Twist: Brewers Turn Potential Grand Slam into Rare Double Play

In a stunning turn of events, the Milwaukee Brewers turned a potential grand slam hit by Los Angeles Dodgers’ Max Muncy into one of the most incredible double plays in postseason history during Game 1 of the National League Championship Series.

With the bases loaded and one out in the fourth inning, Muncy crushed a 404-foot drive to center field, which seemed destined for the stands. Brewers’ center fielder Sal Frelick, however, had other plans. He leaped over the wall in pursuit of the ball, managing to knock it out of the glove and onto the top of the fence before miraculously catching it in mid-air.

The sequence of events that followed was nothing short of remarkable. The Dodgers’ runners, thinking the ball had been caught on a fly, scrambled back to their bases. Frelick quickly threw the ball to shortstop Joey Ortiz, who relayed it to catcher William Contreras. Contreras, aware that the ball had hit the wall and a force was still in effect, stretched for the throw with his right foot on home plate, forcing out Teoscar Hernández.

In a smart move, Contreras then jogged to third base to force out Will Smith, completing the rare 8-6-2 double play. The Dodgers challenged the call, but a replay review confirmed the forceouts at home and third, ending the top of the fourth inning.

The Play Unfolds

The drama began when Muncy hit the powerful drive to center field. Frelick’s attempt to catch the ball was inches from success, but the ball popped out of his glove and hit the top of the fence. According to the rules, since the ball hit the wall, it was considered a live ball, and the Dodgers’ runners should have been aware of this.

However, the Dodgers’ runners, including Smith, thought Frelick had made a clean catch and scrambled back to their bases. “I didn’t see it hit the wall,” Smith said. “I just thought he kind of brought it back in and caught it.”

Smart Baseball by the Brewers

The Brewers’ execution of the double play was flawless. Contreras’s awareness of the force still being in effect allowed him to position himself correctly for the throw. “From home plate, I had a pretty good view of it,” Contreras said through an interpreter. “I could tell pretty much right away it hit off the wall. Right away once it hits off the wall, you know that ball is played live.”

The Dodgers’ manager, Dave Roberts, praised the Brewers’ execution of the play, saying, “Tremendous job by the guys there just doing what we needed to do to finish that play off.”

A Rare Feat

The 8-6-2 double play was a rare feat in the postseason, with the Elias Sports Bureau reporting that it was the first time in over 35 years that such a play had been seen. The most recent similar play in the regular season was recorded in April 2004, involving Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa and Cincinnati center fielder Ken Griffey Jr.

The 404-foot drive hit by Muncy was the second-longest projected distance on a batted ball resulting in a double play since Statcast tracking began in 2015. Despite the unusual twist, the Dodgers went on to win the game 2-1, taking the lead in the NLCS.

Post-Game Reaction

Muncy described the play as “definitely the worst fielder’s choice/double play I’ve ever hit in my life.” The Dodgers challenged the call, but the umpires’ decision was upheld after a replay review. “Honestly, I didn’t know they ruled it a no-catch,” Roberts said. “I just wanted clarity on the whole situation.”

The incredible play by the Brewers was a testament to their skill and awareness on the field. As the series continues, fans can expect more thrilling moments from both teams.