Brewers Win NLDS Opener

Contreras Breaks Tie With Powerful Seventh-Inning Blast

William Contreras gave Milwaukee the lead in the bottom of the seventh with a 406-foot solo home run off Padres reliever Adrian Morejon. The blast came on a 3-2 pitch and proved decisive in the one-run final. Contreras joined his brother Willson with the Boston Red Sox as the fifth pair of brothers to homer in the same postseason, MLB.com reported. The catcher's power stroke shifted momentum in Milwaukee's favor after the Padres had built an early lead.

Padres Seize Early Advantage Before Collapse

San Diego jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning on RBIs from Luis Campusano and Jake Cronenworth off Brewers starter Robbie Ray. Milwaukee answered quickly in the third when Jackson Chourio hit a two-run home run to tie the game at 2-2. AOL noted the back-and-forth scoring set up the dramatic ninth inning. San Diego left 12 runners stranded and went just 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position, according to The Sporting Tribune.

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The Roof Play Decides Game 1 in Ninth Inning

With one out and a runner on first in the ninth, Ty France hit a fly ball that struck the retractable roof structure in fair territory and deflected into Chourio's glove for an out. SportsNet reported that baseball fans reacted with disbelief to the controversial play. Brewers manager Pat Murphy suggested the ball was heading foul before striking the roof. Padres manager Craig Stammen disagreed, saying the contact represented a 'bad break' and that France likely would have had a home run.

Ground rules at American Family Field state that any batted ball striking the roof or cables in fair territory remains live and in play. Crew Chief Alfonso Marquez upheld the fair-ball ruling after Stammen's challenge. Associated Press quoted Megill, the Brewers closer, saying he had never seen such a play in four years at the stadium. Jackson Merrill lined out to right field two pitches later to end the game and secure Milwaukee's 1-0 series lead.

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Game 2 Sets Up Pitching Matchup in Milwaukee

Game 2 of the best-of-five series takes place in Milwaukee with San Diego's Michael King (12-10, 3.21 ERA) facing Milwaukee's Logan Henderson (11-3, 2.47 ERA), Associated Press reported. The Brewers enter the matchup having won 16 of their last 19 games. San Diego came into the series strong, winning 20 of its previous 23 games. Despite the Game 1 loss, the Padres remain in position to take the series if they can even things up on the road.