Dodgers Fans Slam $66M Star After Chaotic Brewers Double Play Sparks Online Frenzy

In the Dodgers’ eventual 2-1 win, the Milwaukee Brewers pulled off the first 8-6-2 double play in MLB postseason history. Still, the Dodgers survived the Brewers’ magic act, shrugged off their bad luck, and by the end of Monday night, secured a postseason game the old-fashioned way. Thanks to the golden arm of Blake Snell and the powerful bat of Freddie Freeman. However, in the process, the Dodgers’ $66 million star took the heat.

Watch What’s Trending Now!

With bases loaded and one out during the fourth inning, the game was still 0-0. Max Muncy hit a deep ball to center field, and in reflex, Brewers’ Sal Frelick ran to catch it. He jumped, and the ball bounced off his glove; it hit the wall and then came right back into his glove.

Muncy wasn’t out as the ball hit the wall, but the Dodgers’ runners acted like it was caught. And they remained on their bases instead of taking off for the next.

Article continues below this ad

Then, Dodgers’ $66 million star Teoscar Hernandez went back to third base and took off for home. However, Frelick threw the ball to shortstop Joey Ortiz, who then threw it perfectly to catcher William Contreras, and Hernandez was tagged out at home.

Contreras then ran to third base and got Will Smith out. Smith had gone back to second as he thought Frelick made a clean catch. The play was officially recorded as a double play for Muncy because there were force-outs at two bases, per Tim O’Driscoll, even though the play started 404 feet away in the outfield.

Article continues below this ad

After the chaos, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts even challenged the call. However, both outs were confirmed, and the inning ended.

The last 8-6-2 double play happened during the regular season of April 2004. That time, it was Sammy Sosa who had hit a ball to Ken Griffey Jr. in center field, and the play ended with a tag at home plate.

Dodgers fans going insane over the wild Brewers double playA fan expressed what everyone is feeling at the moment. “This is probably the craziest defensive play in baseball playoff history ever.” Even the confusion on the entire play in Milwaukee is totally understandable. The confusion mainly arose when Teoscar Hernández, on third with bases loaded, retreated to tag up, thinking it was caught.

He missed an easy score, and naturally, blame fell on him. “HOW DOES TEO NOT SCORE ON THIS?” Hernández should have taken off immediately, right after the ball hit Frelick’s glove. He would have scored easily regardless of what happened next.

The real-time rant was real. “How does everyone not advance? The second it touches the center fielder’s glove, they all need to be off and running. Such bad baserunningall around. Teo and Will Smith.” When Max Muncy hit a fly ball with the bases loaded, it bounced off Brewers’ Sal Frelick’s glove and hit the wall. It was ruled a hit, not a catch. But the Dodgers’ runners, Teoscar Hernández and Will Smith, moved too early. They thought it was a clean catch. It let the Brewers turn a rare and confusing 8-6-2 double play, getting Smith out at home and keeping the inning scoreless.

But since the Dodgers eventually won, many thanked Blake Snell. “Thank you, Blake Snell.” Despite Teoscar Hernández and Will Smith’s poor baserunning, the Dodgers were able to win Monday night after losing the night before. The left-hander struck out 10 in eight scoreless innings against the Brewers. And his gem was one of only four scoreless starts in Dodgers postseason history with double-digit strikeouts.

Teoscar Hernández didn’t react fast enough on that play and instantly became the point of frustration for fans. “Teo is the SLOWEST HUMAN ON THE PLANET.” Even a few days ago, Hernández was called out by manager Dave Roberts for his lack of defensive effort in the bottom of the second inning in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Article continues below this ad

Roberts couldn’t say much about it, as in his media appearance, he shared, “I’ve got to look at it again.” Hernández’s defensive lapse that day gave the Phillies an early 2-0 lead.

This time, although Roberts hasn’t said anything yet, the fans have already pinned the blame on him.