Alex Avila, a backup catcher, succeeded Tuesday where 31 consecutive Chicago Cubs had failed.
He got a hit off a Dodgers relief pitcher.
Dodger relievers had retired 29 of the 31 batters they faced in the National League Championship Series before Avila lined a single off Ross Stripling leading off the bottom of the ninth inning.
Albert Almora followed Avila’s hit with a ground-rule double to left field, ending Stripling’s outing after just two batters.
At that point, manager Dave Roberts turned to old faithful, Kenley Jansen, and the next three Cubs were retired in order — the final two by strikeout.