Turang homers and Milwaukee’s bullpen delivers as the Brewers beat the Dodgers 2-1 in NLCS opener

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Brice Turang hit a home run off Tarik Skubal and Milwaukee’s relievers shut down the Los Angeles Dodgers, securing a 2-1 triumph for the Brewers in the NL Championship Series opener. Luis Lara smashed a tiebreaking single off Skubal in the fifth inning, with Milwaukee defeating Game 1 in the first NLCS matchup between two 100-win teams since the Cincinnati Reds' 1976 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Brewers had lost seven consecutive postseason games against the Dodgers, including last year's NLCS sweep. In Game 2, Milwaukee starts Luis Lara, while the Dodgers will rely on Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Logan Henderson. Los Angeles aims to become the first team to win three consecutive championships since the 1998-2000 New York Yankees.

They have already forced three double plays, stranded nine runners, and went 1 for 6 with runners in scoring position, falling to 2 for 22 in the playoffs. Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the uphill battle ahead.