Brewers relief pitcher Woodruff homers off Kershaw in NLCS

Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff has connected against Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw, becoming the third reliever in major league history to homer in a postseason game.

Woodruff led off the third inning with a long drive to right-center, tying Game 1 of the NL Championship Series at 1. Woodruff pumped his right arm as the ball went out Friday night and Kershaw glanced back with an incredulous look on his face.

Woodruff is the first Brewers pitcher to homer in a playoff game, according to STATS. He joins Travis Wood for the Chicago Cubs in Game 2 of the 2016 NL Division Series against San Francisco and Rosy Ryan for the New York Giants in Game 3 of the 1924 World Series against Washington as the only relievers to go deep in the postseason.

Milwaukee Brewers' Brandon Woodruff reacts after hitting a home run during the third inning of Game 1 of the National League Championship Series baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, in Milwaukee. (AP PhotoMatt Slocum)

The 25-year-old Woodruff hit his first career homer July 13 at Pittsburgh.

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Milwaukee Brewers' Brandon Woodruff reacts after hitting a home run during the third inning of Game 1 of the National League Championship Series baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, in Milwaukee. (AP PhotoMatt Slocum)

Milwaukee Brewers' Brandon Woodruff reacts after hitting a home run during the third inning of Game 1 of the National League Championship Series baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, in Milwaukee. (AP PhotoMatt Slocum)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw throws during the first inning of Game 1 of the National League Championship Series baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, in Milwaukee. (AP PhotoMatt Slocum)

CHICAGO (AP) — Oliver Moore and Connor Murphy scored during Chicago's four-goal second period, and the Blackhawks beat the St. Louis Blues 7-3 on Wednesday night for their fourth consecutive win.

Moore, Murphy, Louis Crevier and Landon Slaggert each had a goal and an assist as Chicago improved to 2-1-0 against St. Louis this season. Spencer Knight made 27 saves and Nick Lardis, Jason Dickinson and Andre Burakovsky also scored.

Chicago went 3 for 4 on the power play, while St. Louis was 0 for 5 with the man advantage. The Blackhawks are 8 for 8 on the penalty kill during their win streak.

Tyler Tucker, Otto Stenberg and Nathan Walker scored for St. Louis in the opener of a three-game trip. Jordan Binnington stopped 28 shots.

Chicago grabbed control in the second. Stenberg tied it at 2 with his first career goal at 8:22, but the Blackhawks regained the lead 35 seconds later on Murphy's first of the season.

Slaggert got a piece of Colton Dach's shot at 12:27, and Dickinson made it 5-2 when he redirected Crevier's shot for his fifth goal with 2:36 left in the period.

Burakovsky added a power-play goal 5:11 into the third. It was his first goal since Dec. 20 and No. 10 on the season.

Chicago improved to 5-6-1 in 12 games since Connor Bedard hurt his right shoulder during a 3-2 loss at St. Louis on Dec. 12. The 20-year-old center participated in the team's morning skate and could return as soon as Friday against Washington.

The Blackhawks observed a pregame moment of silence for Hockey Hall of Famers Glenn Hall and former coach and general manager Bob Pulford. Hall, a goaltender who helped the team win the Stanley Cup in 1961, died Wednesday at age 94. Pulford died Monday.

Both teams play again on Friday night. The Blues visit the Utah Mammoth, and the Blackhawks host the Capitals.

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Chicago Blackhawks left wing Nick Foligno, left, celebrates his game-winning goal with defenseman Connor Murphy (5) in the shootout of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)