How Dodgers' underestimation of Brewers' David Hamilton led to key insurance run in Game 4

The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 4 of the 2026 NLCS, with David Hamilton hitting a solo home run off closer Edwin Díaz in the ninth inning to provide insurance runs. Hamilton, who hit only four home runs during the regular season after being acquired from Boston in February, connected off Díaz to extend Milwaukee's lead in what became a sweep. Brewers manager Pat Murphy had employed a strategic approach earlier in the game, instructing Hamilton to attempt a bunt to make opposing pitchers more aggressive, knowing that Hamilton led the league in bunt hits and that the pitcher would want to attack rather than walk him ahead of dangerous hitter Jackson Chourio. The Dodgers' underestimation of Hamilton's power, combined with Murphy's confidence in his third baseman, contributed to the decisive ninth-inning blast that helped send the Brewers to their first World Series appearance in 44 years.

Summary written by MLB Feed Network based on the original reporting. How we write summaries