MILWAUKEE (AP) — Teoscar Hernández watched a replay of that bizarre double play from the National League Championship Series opener only one time as the clip went viral across social media.
No further viewings were needed.
“I saw it once,” the Dodgers' outfielder said Tuesday, a day after Los Angeles overcame the 8-6-2 double play in a 2-1 win over the Milwaukee Brewers. “Once the play was over, I realized I just (messed) up. Just one of those things that you don’t have to see it over and over to realize that you made a mistake.”
Hernández earned some redemption Tuesday night by hitting a home run in the second inning of the Dodgers' 5-1 victory in Game 2.
In Monday night's game, Hernández walked to start the fourth inning. He was on third with the bases loaded and one out when Max Muncy hit a drive that appeared to be heading over the center-field wall.
Milwaukee’s Sal Frelick tried to rob Muncy of a grand slam, and the ball popped out of his glove and hit the top of the wall before the center fielder caught it in the air.
Los Angeles’ other runners scrambled back to their bases, thinking Frelick made the catch on a fly. Hernández still had plenty of time to tag up and score, but he hesitated and didn’t head home fast enough. Frelick threw to shortstop Joey Ortiz, who relayed to catcher William Contreras for a forcout at the plate.
Contreras then completed the double play by jogging to third base and forcing out Will Smith, who was on second when the play started.
“It was one of those plays that, if you would have asked me two days ago what would you do in this situation, I would say as soon as the ball touched the glove, I would go,” Hernández said. “But in the moment, I got blocked, I think, and there’s not an explanation. I just (messed) up. It’s that simple.
“I don’t think there’s going to be any explanation that is going to be accurate. I saw it when the ball hit the glove. I went. Then I saw it bounced off the glove. And I just reacted bad. Just one of those moments, you block your mind. But there’s nobody to blame but myself. And it happens."
Ortiz was asked Tuesday whether he had watched a replay and noticed anything that wasn’t immediately apparent at the time it happened.
“Sal did make a pretty funny face,” Ortiz said. “That’s all over the social media right now. … But, no, I’ve never seen a play like that. It was a pretty crazy play to be involved in.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after Monday’s game that Hernández simply froze for a moment.
“Teo knows the rule. I think right there he had just a little bit of a brain fart, appreciating that when it does hit the glove, you can tag (up) there,” Roberts said. “But then he tagged, did it correctly, then saw he didn’t catch it, (and) he went back. That was the mistake. But he owned it. And after that, there’s nothing else you can do about it.”
On the official scoring, Muncy grounded into a double play on a 404-foot drive that never touched the ground. There had not been an 8-6-2 double play in the postseason over the last 35 years, the Elias Sports Bureau said. Those type of official scoring details are not always clear in records going back any further.
The most recent 8-6-2 double play in the regular season involved a ball hit by Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa to Cincinnati center fielder Ken Griffey Jr. in April 2004 — though that one ended with a tag at the plate.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
Los Angeles Dodgers' Teoscar Hernández is out at home as Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras takes the throw during the fourth inning of Game 1 of baseball's National League Championship Series Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Teoscar Hernández is out at home as Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras takes the throw during the fourth inning of Game 1 of baseball's National League Championship Series Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Teoscar Hernández is forced out at home by Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras during the fourth inning in Game 1 of baseball's National League Championship Series, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
LAS VEGAS (AP) — This wasn't a typical Broncos game. For the first time this season, they didn't trail, and the final minutes were not overly stressful.
What was typical? They won again.
Bo Nix passed for 212 yards and rushed for a touchdown, and Denver extended its winning streak to 10 games, defeating the Las Vegas Raiders 24-17 on Sunday, a score that wasn't reflective of the Broncos' dominance.
“It did not feel like some of these other (games) recently,” coach Sean Payton said. “My headset was off earlier.”
The Raiders lost quarterback Geno Smith, who injured his right hand and shoulder in the third quarter and was replaced by Kenny Pickett. Las Vegas coach Pete Carroll said Smith's hand was cut and his shoulder “really locked up” but there didn't appear to be significant damage.
The Broncos (11-2) appear to be on the verge of ending Kansas City's nine-year reign in the AFC West, and they tied idle New England for the top seed in the conference. Denver owns the tiebreaker because of its 6-0 record against common opponents; the Patriots lost to the Raiders.
The Broncos ended their NFL record of rallying for nine consecutive victories — this time, they only had to pull away from an early 7-7 tie. Denver has its best record through 13 games since 2013.
The Broncos have their skeptics, however, given how many victories they've had to eke out, and beating up on the free-falling Raiders likely won't silence the doubters.
“Ten in a row's a long streak,” Nix said. “You want to be appreciative of this opportunity and appreciative of the wins no matter how they come. But at the same time, we're always looking to get better.”
The Raiders (2-11) have lost seven in a row and 11 of 12. Las Vegas also has lost 11 consecutive divisional games, the league's longest active skid.
Statistics pointed to a potential mismatch with the Broncos bringing in a top-five defense against a Raiders offense that's at or near the bottom of several statistical categories. Denver held the ball for 39:03 and gained 356 yards with 27 first downs. The Raiders had 229 yards and 16 first downs.
Nix was highly efficient, completing 31 of 38 passes.
Nik Bonitto had two sacks, giving him 12 1/2 for the season. He is the first Denver player with double-digit sacks in consecutive seasons since Von Miller did it five straight times from 2014-18.
Smith was 13 of 21 for 116 yards and a touchdown. Pickett completed 8 of 11 passes for 96 yards and a TD.
“I've seen a lot of Kenny in practice,” Carroll said. “He's active, he's quick, he's really athletic, he's a good thinker, he's clearly a competitive guy. I see nothing but positive stuff. I'm coaching the hell out of him because I want him to be ready if the opportunity pops.”
Maxx Crosby had two tackles for loss, giving him 25 for the season to break his team record of 23 set three years ago.
Each team had just one possession in the first quarter — and made them count.
The Broncos opened with a 14-play, 81-yard drive that took 8:54, with Nix running in from 8 yards to complete the series. Then the Raiders took the remaining time off the clock, with Smith hitting Brock Bowers for a 15-yard TD.
That was the first opening-series touchdown the Broncos have allowed this season. It also was the first opening Las Vegas drive to go the distance since the first game at New England.
Both offenses had their difficulties in the second quarter, with the only score coming on a 48-yard punt return for a touchdown by Denver's Marvin Mims Jr.
RJ Harvey's 3-yard scoring run late in the third period gave Denver what seemed like an almost insurmountable two-touchdown lead. Harvey has five TD runs this season and four through the air.
Daniel Carlson's 46-yard field goal on the final play gave a particularly nasty beat to Broncos bettors. Denver was favored by 7 1/2 points at BetMGM Sportsbook.
Carlson would never have had a shot at the field goal if Broncos safety Brandon Jones hadn't drawn a delay-of-game penalty for not allowing wide receiver Tyler Lockett to get up after a 26-yard gain. That penalty stopped the clock with 5 seconds remaining.
“We're going to run the clock out,” Payton said. “That wasn't real smart.”
Broncos: DT D.J. Jones (ankle) and TE Nate Adkins (knee) did not play.
Raiders: CB Kyu Blu Kelly (knee), who leads the team with three interceptions, was injured early in the second quarter. ... TE Ian Thomas (calf) was hurt in the fourth quarter. ... TE Michael Mayer (ankle) and WRs Alex Bachman (thumb) and Dont’e Thornton Jr. (concussion) did not play.
Broncos: Host Green Bay next Sunday.
Raiders: Visit Philadelphia next Sunday.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly, middle, is carted off the field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos in Las Vegas, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) passes against the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL football game in Las Vegas, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) passes against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half of an NFL football game in Las Vegas, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) scores in front of Denver Broncos cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian (29) during the first half of an NFL football game in Las Vegas, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Candice Ward)
Denver Broncos' Marvin Mims Jr., middle, is congratulated by teammates after returning a punt for a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half of an NFL football game in Las Vegas, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Candice Ward)
