Brice Turang's homer and a lockdown bullpen hand Milwaukee a 2-1 Game 1 win, snapping a seven-game postseason losing streak against Los Angeles.
Milwaukee drew first blood in the National League Championship Series. Brice Turang took Tarik Skubal deep, and the Brewers' relievers locked down the Dodgers' lineup for a 2-1 win in Game 1 on Sunday night.
The game was tied 1-1 until the fifth inning, when Luis Lara lined a go-ahead single off Skubal. It was the decisive swing in a tight pitchers' duel where runs were scarce and every at-bat carried weight.
The bullpen had to deliver after starter Jacob Misiorowski's taxing outing left Milwaukee needing length from its relievers. They answered, keeping Los Angeles quiet the rest of the way and protecting the one-run cushion.
The win carries extra meaning for the Brewers. They had dropped seven straight postseason games to the Dodgers, including last year's NLCS sweep. It also opened the first NLCS between two 100-win teams since the 1976 series, when the Cincinnati Reds eliminated the Philadelphia Phillies.
Milwaukee now holds a 1-0 lead and the early momentum. The Dodgers will look to even the series in Game 2.
