Field Level Media
Jul 21, 2018
The Milwaukee Brewers took advantage of a two-out error to score two unearned runs against Clayton Kershaw in the sixth inning Saturday night, rallying past the Los Angeles Dodgers for a 4-2 win that snapped a seven-game losing streak in Milwaukee.
In a wild game that featured a catcher's interference and Kershaw being thrown out at the plate to short-circuit a potential big inning, the Dodgers lost for just the second time in their last seven games despite allowing four or fewer runs for the 17th time in their last 18 outings.
Thanks to Chris Taylor's two-run single in the first inning, the Dodgers took a 2-1 lead into the last of the sixth, with Kershaw working on a four-hitter.
Christian Yelich got the Brewers even with his 12th homer, a solo shot on the first pitch leading off the inning.
After Ryan Braun sandwiched a double between two outs, Kershaw got what appeared to be an inning-ending grounder to third baseman Max Muncy. But Muncy couldn't handle the chopper, allowing Braun to score the eventual game-winning run.
Keon Broxton followed with a triple to right-center that made it 4-2.
Brewers relievers Josh Hader and Corey Knebel took it from there, with Hader striking out four in two shutout innings before Knebel recorded his 12th save despite allowing a pair of hits in the ninth.
For Hader, it was his first appearance since a controversy erupted on the night of the All-Star Game over old tweets surfaced from his teenage years that were racist and homophobic. The home crowd of over 36,000 fans received him warmly as he trotted in from the bullpen before the top of the seventh, with many standing in applause as he took his warm-up pitches.
Knebel got Manny Machado, playing in his second game for the Dodgers, to ground out as the potential game-tying run to end the game. Machado finished 1-for-5.
Rookie right-hander Corbin Burnes (1-0), appearing in just his third game, got his first major league win after pitching scoreless fifth and sixth innings.
Kershaw (3-5) took the loss despite giving up just one earned run in six innings. He allowed four total runs and seven hits, with five strikeouts and no walks.
Before the fateful sixth, the only run Kershaw permitted was the result of Braun reaching base on catcher's interference in the second inning. He eventually scored on Broxton's infield out.
Brewers starter Chase Anderson was pulled three batters into the fifth inning, trailing 2-1. He allowed two runs and six hits in his four-plus innings, walking two and striking out six.
The Dodgers loaded the bases with no outs in the fifth before Kershaw, who had opened the inning with a walk, tried to score on a pitch that got away from Brewers catcher Erik Kratz. But the Dodgers pitcher was tagged out on a close play, and Los Angeles failed to score after Matt Kemp struck out and Muncy flied to left.
Broxton drove in two runs, Braun scored twice and Yelich had two hits for the Brewers, whose losing streak had dropped them into second place in the National League Central.
Taylor had two RBIs, while Joc Pederson and Kemp collected two hits apiece for the Dodgers, who out-hit the Brewers 10-7.
--Field Level Media