Shohei Ohtani and Teoscar Hernández showcased their power as the Los Angeles Dodgers triumphed over the Cincinnati Reds in the NL Wild Card Series opener. The game concluded with a score of 10-5 at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday night.
Ohtani and Hernández Shine with Home Runs
Both Ohtani and Hernández contributed two home runs each, helping the Dodgers tie a franchise postseason record with five homers in a single game. The team recorded an impressive total of 15 hits, firmly establishing their intent to pursue consecutive World Series titles for the first time in 25 years.
Game Highlights
- First Inning: Ohtani launched a home run leading off the game, hitting a 117.7 mph drive off Reds pitcher Hunter Greene.
- Sixth Inning: Ohtani added a two-run homer from 454 feet, while Hernández hit a three-run shot in the third.
- Strong Pitching: Blake Snell delivered an outstanding performance, striking out nine batters and allowing only one hit through six innings.
- Dodgers Bullpen Struggles: The late innings saw a shaky performance from the Dodgers’ bullpen, which allowed three runs in the eighth inning.
Pitching Performances
Blake Snell, making his postseason return, had an effective outing. He matched his postseason strikeout high and went seven innings deep, allowing just one hit.
In contrast, Hunter Greene had a challenging game, giving up five runs and three homers in just three innings of work. He struggled with command, leading to critical runs for the Dodgers.
Next Steps in the Series
The second game of the best-of-three series will be crucial for both teams. The winner will advance to face the Philadelphia Phillies in the Division Series. Dodgers are set to send RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto to the mound against Reds RHP Zack Littell.
As the Dodgers continue their playoff journey, they aim to maintain their momentum and leverage the strong performances from their key players like Ohtani and Hernández.
