Cubs, Brewers hit 3-run homers in 1st inning of NLDS Game 2

MILWAUKEE – Leave it to the first postseason series between the rival Cubs and Brewers to make history in Milwaukeeâ€s 7-3 victory over Chicago in Game 2 of the National League Division Series.

When the Cubs†Seiya Suzuki and the Brewers†Andrew Vaughn traded three-run homers in the opening frame on Monday night at American Family Field, it marked the first time in postseason history that each team hit a three-run home run (or grand slam) in the first inning.

Even wilder than that? Vaughn’s blast was the first three-run homer or grand slam in Brewers postseason history.

Additionally, the 13 combined first-inning runs scored so far in the NLDS are the most through the first two games of any series in postseason history in the first inning (1989 Cubs/Giants NL Championship Series, 2000 Cardinals/Braves NLDS at 11 each).

“I think that home run was the most important part of the game for us,†Brewers catcher William Contreras said via interpreter Daniel de Mondesert. “After they were able to go ahead, I think that home run there put everyone back in the mentality of no one thought this was going to be easy. But at the same time, maybe it’s not going to be so hard here. I think it just brought the energy back into the dugout, and that’s what Vaughn has been doing ever since he’s got here. He’s been able to put big swings on balls and [has] continued producing for us like he has. I think it was one of the big keys to us winning the game there.â€

Like Game 1 on Saturday, Chicago jumped out to a first-inning lead on a home run. This time, Suzuki crushed lefty Aaron Ashbyâ€s changeup above the zone over the left-center wall, sending it a projected 440 feet with an exit velocity of 111.7 mph, per Statcast.

It was the Cubs’ first postseason homer with multiple runners on base since Addison Russell’s grand slam in Game 6 of the 2016 World Series. All three of Chicagoâ€s home runs in Saturdayâ€s Game 1 loss were solo shots.

Suzuki, who became the first player in Major League history to end the regular season on a four-homer streak and then go deep in his first postseason game, according to Elias Sports Bureau, has seven taters in his last nine games.

“Awesome swing by Seiya,†Cubs left fielder Ian Happ said. “Good ABs, and then Seiya hits that ball. And they did a good job of coming back and answering. Itâ€s a tie ballgame going into the second. Both games, up and down emotions there in the first inning.â€

The Cubs†lead was short-lived, though, as the Brewers countered in the bottom half of the frame.

Vaughn, who hit nine home runs in his first 29 games with Milwaukee but zero over his final 35 regular-season games (and none in Game 1 of the NLDS, a span totaling 146 plate appearances), snapped the drought in dramatic fashion.

“Beginning of the year definitely wasn’t how I wanted it to be, definitely a really tough part of my career,†Vaughn said. “But getting traded [from the White Sox] almost was like an opportunity. Going to [Triple-A] Nashville, trying to work my butt off, eventually getting the call, and trying to take advantage of my opportunity. It’s a really hard game. Just trying to go out there, be the best version of myself, and be like a little kid out there and have fun.â€

Vaughn capped a seven-pitch at-bat by turning on lefty Shota Imanagaâ€s inside sweeper and depositing the offering over the left-field wall. Imanaga, who allowed 15 home runs over his final nine regular-season starts, has given up at least one in each of his postseason appearances now, as well.

“We made a couple mistakes with multiple runners on base, and after getting off to a great start, those mistakes with two, three-run homers, you’re not going to win playoff games giving up two, three-run homers,†Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “That was just too much to overcome.â€

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