LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani has propelled the Los Angeles Dodgers again to the World Sequence with a two-way efficiency for the ages.
Ohtani hit three mammoth homers and struck out 10 whereas pitching into the seventh inning, and the Dodgers swept the Milwaukee Brewers out of the NL Championship Sequence with a 5-1 victory in Recreation 4 on Friday night time.
The Dodgers could have an opportunity to be baseball’s first repeat World Sequence champions in a quarter-century after this mind-blowing night time for the three-time MVP Ohtani, who emphatically ended a quiet postseason by his lofty requirements. Ohtani was named the NLCS MVP basically on the power of this one unforgettable recreation.
“It was actually enjoyable on either side of the ball at present,” Ohtani stated by way of his interpreter. “As a consultant (of the crew), I’m taking this trophy, and let’s get 4 extra wins.”
After placing out three within the high of the primary inning of Recreation 4, Ohtani hit the primary leadoff homer by a pitcher in main league historical past off Brewers starter Jose Quintana.
Ohtani adopted with a 469-foot blast within the fourth, clearing a pavilion roof in right-center.
Ohtani added a 3rd solo shot within the seventh, changing into the twelfth participant in main league historical past to hit three homers in a playoff recreation. His three homers traveled a mixed 1,342 toes.
Ohtani (2-0) additionally completely dominated the Brewers in his second profession postseason mound begin, permitting two hits in his first double-digit strikeout recreation in a Dodgers uniform.
The numbers inform the story. Ohtani is the primary participant in MLB historical past to hit two-plus homers as a pitcher in a postseason recreation, based on ESPN Analysis. He’s additionally the primary MLB participant ever with extra homers hit (3) than hits allowed (2) in a postseason pitching begin and the primary participant to hit a leadoff homer as a pitcher (common season or postseason).
“Generally you’ve bought to verify your self and contact him to verify he’s not simply made from metal,” stated Freddie Freeman, final season’s World Sequence MVP. “Completely unbelievable. Largest stage, and he goes out and does one thing like that. It’ll most likely be remembered because the Shohei Ohtani recreation.”
After the Brewers’ first two batters reached within the seventh, he left the mound to a stadium-shaking ovation – and after Alex Vesia escaped the jam, Ohtani celebrated by hitting his third homer within the backside half.
The powerhouse Dodgers are the primary crew to win back-to-back pennants since Philadelphia in 2009. Los Angeles is again within the World Sequence for the fifth time in 9 seasons, and it’ll try to turn into baseball’s first repeat champs because the New York Yankees received three straight World Sequence from 1998 to 2000.
“That was particular,” Freeman stated. “We’ve simply been taking part in actually good baseball for some time now, and the inevitable type of occurred at present – Shohei. Oh my God. I’m nonetheless speechless.”
After capping a 9-1 rampage by way of the NL playoffs with this singular efficiency by Ohtani, the Dodgers are headed to the World Sequence for the twenty third time in franchise historical past, together with 14 pennants since shifting from Brooklyn to Los Angeles. Solely the Yankees, final 12 months’s opponent, have made extra appearances within the Fall Basic (41).
Los Angeles could have every week off earlier than the World Sequence begins subsequent Friday, both in Toronto or at Dodger Stadium towards Seattle. The Mariners beat the Blue Jays 6-2 earlier Friday to take a 3-2 lead within the ALCS, which continues Sunday at Rogers Centre.
The Dodgers had by no means swept an NLCS in 16 earlier appearances, however they turned solely the fifth crew to comb this collection whereas completely dominating a 97-win Milwaukee membership. Los Angeles is the primary crew to comb a best-of-seven postseason collection since 2022, and the primary to comb an NLCS since Washington in 2019.
“I’ll inform you, earlier than this season began, they stated the Dodgers are ruining baseball,” Los Angeles supervisor Dave Roberts shouted to the gang through the on-field celebration. “Let’s get 4 extra wins and actually break baseball!”
The NL Central champion Brewers had been eradicated by the Dodgers for the third time throughout their present stretch of seven playoff appearances in eight years. Even after setting a franchise report for wins this season, Milwaukee remains to be ready for its first World Sequence look since 1982.
“We had been a part of tonight an iconic, perhaps one of the best particular person efficiency ever in a postseason recreation,” Milwaukee supervisor Pat Murphy stated. “I don’t suppose anyone can argue with that. A man punches out 10 and hits three homers.”
The Brewers had by no means been swept in a playoff collection longer than a best-of-three, however their bats fell silent within the NLCS towards the Dodgers’ sensible beginning rotation. Los Angeles’ 4 starters mixed to pitch 28 2/3 innings with two earned runs allowed and 35 strikeouts.
The Dodgers added two extra runs within the first after Ohtani’s tone-setting homer, with Mookie Betts and Will Smith each singling and scoring.
Jackson Chourio doubled main off the fourth for Milwaukee’s first hit, however Ohtani stranded him with a groundout and two strikeouts.
Struggling Dodgers reliever Blake Treinen allowed two extra baserunners within the eighth, and Caleb Durbin scored when Brice Turang beat out his potential double-play grounder earlier than Anthony Banda ended the inning.
Roki Sasaki pitched the ninth within the newest profitable aid outing for the Dodgers’ unlikely nearer.
Data from The Related Press was used on this report.