What happened: Murphy got to Skubal with a homer after Skubal had rolled through a long stretch of hitters without allowing a breakthrough. Los Angeles remained in front, 4-1, with the game still in progress.

Why it matters: The swing gave Murphy's lineup a needed jolt against a starter who had been in control for most of the night. In a postseason game that had leaned toward Los Angeles, one clean swing can shift late-inning leverage and force quicker pitching decisions.

What to watch: Watch Skubal's next turn through the order and whether Murphy's homer sparks more traffic. The remaining innings will show whether Los Angeles can keep the game from tightening further.