Brewers Stun Dodgers 5-4 with Late Comeback Built Entirely on Singles

The Big Picture

Imagine a baseball game where one team hits zero home runs, zero doubles, and zero triples—just ten singles—yet still wins. That’s exactly what happened when the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-4 in one of the most frustrating losses of the season for LA.

The Brewers didn’t overpower anyone. They just kept putting runners on base, waited for the Dodgers to make mistakes, and capitalized when it mattered most.

Key Takeaway: You don’t need power to win. Sometimes patience, discipline, and taking what the defense gives you is enough.

How the Game Unfolded

1. Sasaki Struggles with Control Early

Roki Sasaki, the Dodgers’ starting pitcher, is known for nasty stuff but not always pinpoint command. This game? His command abandoned him.

• He walked 5 batters in 5 innings (one walk per inning).
• Both runs he allowed came in the 3rd inning—when he walked three batters in a row with the bases loaded.
• Joey Ortiz and David Hamilton each drew a walk on just one strike combined, forcing in two runs.

ELI5: What’s a "walk"?
If a pitcher throws four balls outside the strike zone, the batter gets to go to first base for free. With the bases loaded, that means a run scores automatically.

2. Dodgers Gifted a Run by Contreras’ Error

The Dodgers’ first run came courtesy of a defensive mistake by Brewers star catcher William Contreras.

• Ben Rortvedt singled with a runner on second.
• Miguel Rojas was sent home aggressively.
• The throw from left fielder Jackson Chourio was perfect.
• But Contreras rushed the tag and dropped the ball—run scores, game tied 2-1.

ELI5: What’s a "tag play"?
When a runner tries to reach a base, the fielder must touch them with the ball (or glove holding the ball) before they touch the base. If the ball pops out, the runner is safe.

3. Yelich’s Double Play Kills a Rally

Christian Yelich, Milwaukee’s best hitter, is having a rough year. In the 6th inning, with a chance to chase Sasaki and do damage, he grounded into a double play—two outs on one pitch. Sasaki escaped the inning and finished 6 innings, 2 runs allowed—a minor miracle given his command.

ELI5: What’s a "double play"?
The defense gets two outs on a single play. Usually: ground ball → step on second → throw to first. Two runners out, inning over fast.

4. Freeman’s Epic At-Bat Flips the Script

Dodgers down 2-1 in the 6th. Freddie Freeman, playing through an injury scare, works a 9-pitch walk after falling behind 0-2. The final pitch was a 3-2 strike call that got overturned on review. That walk brought the tying run to the plate.

5. Muncy’s Three-Run Blast Gives LA the Lead

With two outs, Max Muncy pinch-hits and crushes a 3-run homer off Brewers reliever Antonio Senzatela—a high fastball that Muncy didn’t miss. Dodgers lead 4-2.

ELI5: What’s a "pinch-hitter"?
A substitute batter brought in for a specific situation—usually a better matchup against the pitcher.

6. Yelich Robbed at the Wall

8th inning, Brewers down 4-2. Yelich represents the tying run. He smashes a ball down the left-field line—looks like a homer—but Kiké Hernández makes a leaping catch at the wall. Earlier, Kiké also made a nice play at third base. His glove is keeping him in the lineup.

7. Díaz Melts Down in the 9th

Edwin Díaz, the Dodgers’ closer (pitcher who finishes games), has been struggling. This night was a disaster:

• He allowed four straight singles—no hard contact, just soft contact finding holes.
• Jackson Chourio drove in a run with one of them.
• Díaz left with two on, two out.

ELI5: What’s a "closer" and a "blown save"?
A closer is a team’s best relief pitcher, brought in to protect a lead in the 9th inning.
A save is earned when they finish the game without losing the lead.
A blown save = they lost the lead.

8. Vesia Can’t Stop the Bleeding

Alex Vesia comes in, throws a 1-2 slider that doesn’t break enough, and Jake Bauers pokes it through the infield for an RBI single. Brewers lead 5-4.

9. Megill Shuts the Door

Trevor Megill pitches a clean 9th for the Brewers, striking out one, earning his 22nd save.

Box Score Highlights

What’s Next?

• Yamamoto has been phenomenal—coming off 5.2 scoreless innings vs. Arizona.
• He’ll try for back-to-back scoreless starts for the first time this year.
• Gasser is another young arm for Milwaukee’s deep rotation.

Summary

• The Brewers won 5-4 despite zero extra-base hits—just 10 singles.
• Dodgers starter Roki Sasaki walked 5 in 5 innings but limited damage.
• William Contreras’ error and Christian Yelich’s double play helped LA stay close.
• Freddie Freeman’s 9-pitch walk and Max Muncy’s 3-run HR gave LA a 4-2 lead.
• Edwin Díaz blew the save in the 9th, allowing 4 straight singles.
• Jake Bauers’ RBI single off Alex Vesia put Milwaukee ahead for good.
• Trevor Megill closed it out for his 22nd save.
• Next up: Yamamoto vs. Gasser Friday at 7:10 PM PT.

FAQ

Q: How can a team win with only singles?
A: Singles put runners on base. If the other team makes mistakes (walks, errors, bad pitches), those runners score. The Brewers were patient, didn’t chase bad pitches, and forced the Dodgers to beat themselves.

Q: Why was Edwin Díaz taken out with two outs in the 9th?
A: He had already given up four straight hits and three runs. The manager brought in Alex Vesia to try to get the final out, but it didn’t work.

Q: What does "RBI" mean?
A: Runs Batted In. When a batter’s hit (or walk/sacrifice) directly causes a run to score, they get an RBI.

Q: Why did Max Muncy pinch-hit for Miguel Rojas?
A: Muncy is a left-handed power hitter; the Brewers brought in a right-handed pitcher (Senzatela). Managers often match lefty bats vs. righty pitchers for an advantage.

Q: What’s the significance of Yamamoto going for back-to-back scoreless starts?
A: It shows consistency. Elite starters string together quality outings. Doing it twice in a row for the first time this season would signal he’s hitting his stride.