When the Cubs’ Seiya Suzuki and the Brewers’ Andrew Vaughn traded three-run homers in the opening frame 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 two more than in the first inning of the two games of any other series in postseason history (1989 Cubs vs. Giants NL Championship Series, 2000 Cardinals vs. Braves NLDS at 11 each).
Suzuki crushed lefty Aaron Ashby’s changeup above the zone over the left-center wall, a projected 440 feet to left-center field, with an exit velocity of 111.7 mph.
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 Chicago’s home runs in Saturday’s Game 1 loss were solo shots.
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.
He capped a seven-pitch at-bat by turning on lefty Shota Imanaga’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 allowed at least one in each of his postseason appearances now, as well.
