LAD Suffers Shocking Loss Despite Ohtani's Three-Run Homer: 'Sweep' → Dream of World Series Three-Peat Shattered... Milwaukee Advances for First Time in 44 Years [NLCS Game 4]

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The "defending champion" Los Angeles Dodgers, unable to hold onto even a four-run lead, were humbly dethroned without securing a single win. Shohei Ohtani's (32, Dodgers) massive three-run home run was not enough to turn the tide.

The Dodgers suffered a 4-6 comeback loss in Game 4 of the 2026 Major League Baseball (MLB) National League Championship Series (NLCS, best-of-seven) against the Milwaukee Brewers on the 16th (Korean time) at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, USA.

After consecutive losses in Game 1 (1-2), Game 2 (4-7), and Game 3 (2-6), the Dodgers failed to mount a comeback even at home, falling out of the series with a record of 0 wins and 4 losses. They had aimed for their third consecutive World Series title after winning in 2024 and 2025, which would have been the first three-peat since the New York Yankees from 1998 to 2000 and the first for a National League team, but that dream was shattered in the NLCS. Conversely, Milwaukee advanced to the World Series for the first time in 44 years since 1982.

The ending was exactly the opposite of last year's. The Dodgers had swept Milwaukee in four straight games in the 2025 NLCS to reach the World Series. One year later, Milwaukee repaid them with an identical four-game sweep. According to MLB.com, the official Major League Baseball website, this is the first time a team that was swept in one postseason has swept the same opponent the following year.

Facing elimination, the Dodgers moved Ohtani back to the leadoff spot. Ohtani, who had been playing through injuries to his right biceps and left knee, was dropped as low as sixth in the batting order in Game 3 due to extreme slump, but Manager Dave Roberts returned him to the leadoff position for the final game.

Initially, it seemed to work. Ohtani struck out in the first inning, but with the Dodgers leading 1-0 and two outs and runners on first and second in the bottom of the second inning, he hit a cutter in the 90th-mph range from former teammate Dustin May (29) deep into the right-field stands. It was a massive three-run home run that traveled 428 feet (approx. 130.5m) with an exit velocity of 113.1 mph (approx. 182 km/h). Ohtani, who had not hit a home run in 115 at-bats combined across the regular season and postseason since August 18, erupted emotionally toward the dugout, unlike his usual demeanor.

However, a collapse unbecoming of two-time World Series champions began. In the top of the fourth inning, following William Contreras' double, Jake Bauers hit a two-run double that was ruled fair, narrowing the gap to 4-2. In the fifth inning, after David Hamilton's RBI single brought them within one run, Milwaukee capitalized on the Dodgers bullpen's control issues. With two outs and the bases loaded, Bauers drew a bases-loaded walk to tie the game at 4-4. Ultimately, starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow departed after 4⅓ innings, allowing three hits, two walks, striking out six, and giving up four runs. He had retired the first 10 batters in a row but failed to protect the four-run lead.

Gaining momentum, Milwaukee turned the game around in the top of the sixth inning. Leadoff hitter Garrett Mitchell hit a solo home run over the center-field fence against reliever Tanner Scott, traveling 409 feet (approx. 124.7m). The score went from 0-4 to 5-4 in an instant.

The Dodgers did have opportunities. In the bottom of the seventh inning, Andy Pages hit a double and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt. With one out and a runner on third, Ohtani returned to the batter's box. However, Ohtani struck out swinging against left-hander Aaron Ashby, and Mookie Betts also grounded out.

In the eighth inning, Will Smith reached third base with one out via a double and an error by the opposing team, but follow-up hits did not materialize. In the top of the ninth inning, Hamilton hit a solo home run against Edwin Diaz to nail down the victory. Ashby shut down the final three innings scoreless, securing Milwaukee's berth in the World Series.

Milwaukee avenged last year's four-game sweep by the Dodgers in exactly the same manner just one year later. The momentum from their regular-season record of 103 wins, the most in all of Major League Baseball, carried through to the fall. Bauers was named the series Most Valuable Player (MVP) with four hits in 14 at-bats (batting average .286), one home run, and six RBIs in this NLCS.

In contrast, the Dodgers' starting rotation collapsed with an ERA of 6.50 across the four NLCS games. The lineup also fell silent in crucial moments, managing only five hits in 43 at-bats with runners in scoring position. Ohtani also finished with one hit (one home run) in four at-bats, three RBIs, and three strikeouts, failing to step onto the World Series stage for a third consecutive year.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original