Brewers Rally in Ninth to Beat Dodgers 5-4 in One of the Best Wins of the Year
Brewers Rally in Ninth to Beat Dodgers 5-4 in One of the Best Wins of the Year
The Milwaukee Brewers produced one of their most dramatic victories of the 2026 season Thursday night, rallying for three runs in the ninth inning to stun the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-4 at Dodger Stadium.
Trailing 4-2 entering the final inning, Milwaukee appeared to be running out of opportunities against the defending champions. Instead, the Brewers’ offense came alive at precisely the right moment, delivering four consecutive one-out singles and eventually taking the lead on a two-out RBI single from Jake Bauers.
The victory gave the Brewers an enormous boost in the National League standings and allowed them to remain alone atop the league. Milwaukee entered the series after being swept by San Diego, making the comeback against the Dodgers an especially important response.
The ninth inning began with the Dodgers turning to closer Edwin Díaz to protect a two-run advantage.
Díaz, one of baseball’s most highly regarded relievers, immediately found himself under pressure. Jackson Chourio started the Milwaukee rally with a run-scoring single, cutting the Dodgers’ lead to 4-3.
Garrett Mitchell followed with another RBI single, bringing the Brewers level and putting the Dodgers suddenly in serious trouble.
After Alex Vesia replaced Díaz, the Brewers continued their assault. Bauers delivered the decisive hit, a bouncing single that scored Chourio and put Milwaukee ahead 5-4.
The comeback was complete.
Trevor Megill then entered for Milwaukee and closed out the game with a perfect ninth inning, recording his 22nd save of the season.
The dramatic finish overshadowed what had been a back-and-forth game in which both teams had opportunities to seize control.
Dodgers starter Roki Sasaki struggled with his command early, walking two batters with the bases loaded in the fourth inning as Milwaukee took an initial 2-0 advantage.
The Dodgers eventually responded in the sixth inning through one of the biggest moments of the night.
Max Muncy launched a three-run pinch-hit home run to give Los Angeles a 3-2 lead.
The home run was particularly significant because it became Muncy’s 131st career homer at Dodger Stadium, setting a new franchise record for home runs at the ballpark.
The Dodgers then added another run to move ahead 4-2, putting themselves in position to win the series opener.
But Milwaukee’s bullpen kept the game within reach.
DL Hall delivered two scoreless innings in relief, preventing the Dodgers from extending their advantage and giving the Brewers an opportunity to mount a late comeback.
That decision ultimately proved crucial.
By the time Milwaukee came to bat in the ninth, the Brewers needed a major offensive response, and they received it.
The rally was especially impressive given the Dodgers’ reputation for having one of the deepest pitching staffs in baseball.
Díaz had been brought in specifically to close out the game, but Milwaukee’s hitters refused to allow the opportunity to disappear.
The loss was particularly damaging for Los Angeles because the Dodgers had been in control heading into the final inning.
It also continued a difficult stretch for Díaz, who has struggled in several recent appearances. His ERA rose significantly after Milwaukee’s three-run rally, adding to questions surrounding the Dodgers’ bullpen as the season moves deeper into August.
For Milwaukee, the win was more than another regular-season victory.
The Brewers entered the game looking to recover from a difficult stretch that included a sweep by the Padres. Beating the Dodgers on the road in such dramatic fashion provided a significant morale boost.
It also demonstrated the Brewers’ ability to remain competitive even when they are trailing late against one of the strongest teams in baseball.
The Brewers now hold an important advantage in the National League race.
Their victory also gave them a two-game edge over the Dodgers for the best record in the National League, while Los Angeles fell behind the Atlanta Braves in the league standings.
That makes the win particularly meaningful as the regular season enters its final stages.
Milwaukee’s success has been built largely on its consistency and ability to manufacture runs in different ways. The ninth-inning rally was a perfect example of that approach.
There was no single massive home run responsible for the comeback.
Instead, Chourio, Mitchell and Bauers delivered timely singles, while the Brewers’ lineup continued putting pressure on the Dodgers’ pitching staff.
That made the victory even more impressive.
For Chourio, the ninth-inning hit represented another important contribution from one of Milwaukee’s most exciting young players. His ability to produce in crucial situations has become increasingly important to the Brewers as they pursue another postseason appearance.
Mitchell also delivered when the team needed him most, driving in the tying run and keeping the inning alive.
Bauers then completed the comeback with the go-ahead hit.
The Brewers’ pitching staff deserves credit as well.
After the Dodgers moved ahead, Milwaukee’s relievers prevented the deficit from becoming insurmountable. Hall’s two scoreless innings were particularly important because they allowed the offense to remain within striking distance.
Megill then finished the job.
The Dodgers, meanwhile, will have to regroup quickly.
Los Angeles remains one of the most talented teams in baseball, but the bullpen’s inability to protect a two-run lead in the ninth inning will be an obvious concern.
The Dodgers also had the advantage of playing at home, making the late collapse even more frustrating.
For Milwaukee, however, the night belonged entirely to the comeback.
A team that had just endured a disappointing series against San Diego walked into Dodger Stadium and handed Los Angeles a painful defeat in the opening game of a four-game series.
The Brewers’ ninth-inning rally may ultimately prove to be one of the most memorable victories of their 2026 campaign.
Whether it becomes the “best win of the year” will depend on what Milwaukee accomplishes over the remainder of the season.
But the ingredients were certainly there: a late deficit, a star-studded opponent, a struggling closer, a relentless rally and a dramatic go-ahead hit with two outs.
Most importantly, the Brewers showed that they can win games even when they appear to be out of opportunities.
With the National League race tightening and the postseason approaching, victories like this can have an impact far beyond one night.
Milwaukee now has another chance to build momentum against the Dodgers, while Los Angeles will look to respond after watching a two-run ninth-inning lead disappear.
For the Brewers, the message was clear.
The game is never over until the final out.
And on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium, Milwaukee turned a seemingly lost game into one of its biggest wins of the season.
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