Bellinger’s hit in 13th ties series
LOS ANGELES — Cody Bellinger’s two-out single in the 13th inning scored Manny Machado from second base as the Los Angeles Dodgers evened their NL Championship Series with the Milwaukee Brewers with a 2-1 victory on Tuesday night.
Machado’s fadeaway slide — he dragged his left hand across home plate — beat the tag by catcher Erik Kratz and sent the fans at Dodger Stadium into a roaring celebration.
The series is tied 2-2 with the Dodgers sending ace Clayton Kershaw against Milwaukee’s Wade Miley on Wednesday.
The defending NL champion Dodgers went ahead when Brian Dozier singled home a run in the first inning off Gio Gonzalez.
Milwaukee, seeking its first World Series appearance since 1982, tied the score in the fifth when pinch-hitter Domingo Santana hit an RBI double against starter Rich Hill.
Both teams used all their position players and both teams wasted plenty of chances. The Brewers were 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position and the Dodgers 1 for 9.
In the 13th, Machado singled with one out and Dozier popped out. Machado went to second on Junior Guerra’s wild pitch.
Bellinger, in a seven-pitch at-bat, then ripped a ground single into right to score Machado, whose slide beat a strong throw by right fielder Christian Yelich.
Machado, the Dodgers shortstop, stirred emotions in the 10th inning when both benches cleared after he clipped the back leg of Milwaukee first baseman Jesus Aguilar while running out his groundout.
Aguilar left his foot on the base for a moment after Machado was already out, and Machado appeared to show his displeasure by bringing his left foot forward and kicking Aguilar on the back of the leg.
Aguilar wasn’t hurt, but he was angry.
Dodgers first base coach George Lombard joined the discussion before players spilled onto the field from both benches and bullpens.
Nothing happened beyond a spirited argument, but the incident added to the list of Machado’s questionable decisions.
Machado also caused controversy Monday in Game 3 of the NLCS with two hard slides into second base while shortstop Orlando Arcia attempted to turn double plays.