Imagine this: the Milwaukee Brewers are down to their last gasp in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series, trailing the Los Angeles Dodgers by just one run with the bases loaded. It’s the kind of high-stakes moment that defines careers—and then, in a split second, it’s gone. Brice Turang, the Brewers’ second baseman, instinctively flinches away from what could have been a game-tying hit by pitch, only to strike out on the very next pitch. But here’s where it gets controversial: was it a costly mistake, or an understandable human reaction? Let’s dive in.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, with the Dodgers clinging to a 2-1 lead, Turang found himself at the plate facing Blake Treinen, a reliever known for his sinking fastball. Earlier in the at-bat, Treinen had come dangerously close to hitting Turang in the leg, setting the stage for a tense showdown. On the next pitch, a neck-high fastball, Turang’s reflexes took over. Instead of staying put and potentially taking a pitch to the body, he backed away—a move that cost him the at-bat and, ultimately, the game.
And this is the part most people miss: Turang’s reaction wasn’t just a mental lapse; it was a primal instinct. As Brewers manager Pat Murphy explained postgame, ‘When the ball is coming at you, especially a breaking ball, your natural instinct is to get out of the way.’ It’s a split-second decision that even the most seasoned players struggle to override. But does that make it any less frustrating for fans and teammates alike? That’s up for debate.
Turang himself was candid about the moment, telling MLB.com, ‘I know it. Everybody knows it. I couldn’t tell you why I did it. I just got out of the way. That’s just how it is.’ His honesty is refreshing, but it doesn’t change the outcome. The Dodgers walked away with a 2-1 victory, thanks in part to a brilliant eight-inning shutout performance by starter Blake Snell and a shaky but effective ninth from rookie reliever Roki Sasaki and Treinen.
Here’s where it gets even more intriguing: Sasaki, who had been lights-out in the postseason with 5⅓ scoreless innings, showed uncharacteristic wobbles in the ninth. He walked Isaac Collins, gave up a ground-rule double to pinch hitter Jake Bauers, and allowed a sacrifice fly to Jackson Chourio before being pulled in favor of Treinen. The Brewers had the Dodgers on the ropes, but they couldn’t land the knockout blow.
Bold claim: Some might argue that Turang’s flinch was a symptom of a larger issue—the pressure of playoff baseball. But is that fair? After all, even the best players make mistakes. Or is this a moment that will haunt Turang and the Brewers for years to come? We want to hear from you. Do you think Turang’s reaction was forgivable, or was it a critical error? Let us know in the comments below.
One thing’s for sure: baseball is a game of inches, and in this case, those inches cost the Brewers dearly. As Turang put it, ‘As much as it sucks, you move on.’ But for fans and analysts alike, this moment will be dissected for weeks—if not seasons—to come. What’s your take?
