The Los Angeles Dodgers had managed just two runs on five hits through eight innings against Philadelphia Phillies pitchers Zach Eflin and Joaquin Benoit. Eflin held his former team to two runs on four hits over seven strong innings.
Hector Neris took the mound in the bottom of the ninth with a 5-1 lead. He was due to face Yasiel Puig, Cody Bellinger and a pinch-hitter for Grant Dayton. Bellinger had already homered on the night, the first of his young Major League career.
Puig opened the inning with a home run to left-center field, breathing some life into what had been a dormant Dodger Stadium crowd.