Jake Bauers Hits Home Run to Lift Brewers Over Dodgers in Game 3

Jake Bauers hit a go-ahead two-run home run on the eleventh pitch against Blake Snell in the seventh inning on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, lifting the Milwaukee Brewers to a 6-2 victory and a 3-0 series lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium.

In Game 2 of the National League Championship Series, Jake Bauers worked a 12-pitch walk against Yoshinobu Yamamoto to load the bases before Christian Yelich drove in the go-ahead runs. That plate appearance held the record for Bauers’ career until the seventh inning of Game 3. Facing Dodgers starter Blake Snell with a runner on and a 2-1 deficit, Bauers dug in for another marathon battle. He fouled off several pitches, working the count full before nearly clearing the fence on the tenth pitch.

Blake Snell and the Marathon At-Bat in Game 3

Snell had retired 14 consecutive batters before Andrew Vaughn drew a leadoff walk in the seventh inning. With Snell nearing 90 pitches, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts kept his starter in to face the left-handed-hitting Bauers and Garrett Mitchell. Bauers fouled off multiple pitches, running the count through a lengthy sequence. On the eleventh pitch, Snell missed with a fastball over the heart of the plate.

I was looking for a fastball, and I didn’t want to miss it. I said I’ll adjust to anything else, but get a heater, don’t miss it.

Jake Bauers, Milwaukee Brewers first baseman, via MLB

Bauers sent the ball 412 feet into the right-field seats at 109.4 mph, flipping a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 Milwaukee lead.

Garrett Mitchell Hits Solo Home Run Against Snell

The home run did not stand alone. Right after Bauers rounded the bases, Garrett Mitchell stepped up against Snell and demolished a 1-0 changeup. Mitchell’s solo shot traveled 428 feet at 111.5 mph, chasing Snell from the game and doubling the Milwaukee lead to 4-2.

The offensive night began on the very first pitch of the game when Jackson Chourio homered. Milwaukee added insurance in the eighth when Brice Turang reached on an infield single and William Contreras singled.

From Near Retirement to Postseason Heroics

The postseason heroics represent a sharp reversal from Bauers’ standing after the 2024 season. Frustrated by the constant movement across organizations—having previously played for the Padres, Rays, Guardians, Mariners, and Yankees—Bauers considered walking away from the sport entirely.

He wanted to move to Costa Rica.

Lauren Bauers, wife, via MLB

Lauren Bauers encouraged her husband to reconsider. He signed a Minor League contract to stay with Milwaukee, boosted his OPS by nearly 100 points during a productive part-time role in 2025, and broke out at age 30 in 2026 by playing a career-high 144 games and leading the team with 26 home runs.

I’ve seen all the ups and downs he’s been through and it’s been a lot of downs. So for him to go through this right now, he’s earned it. Hat’s off to him. I mean, what an at-bat. I threw everything I had.

Blake Snell, Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher, via MLB

With the 6-2 victory, the Milwaukee Brewers hold a 3-0 lead in the National League Championship Series and stand one win away from reaching their first World Series in 44 years. Game 4 is scheduled at Dodger Stadium, where Tyler Glasnow is slated to start for Los Angeles.

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