Shohei Ohtani, the Japanese superstar, made a memorable debut in the postseason by hitting a three-run homer for the Los Angeles Dodgers in their NL Division Series opener against the San Diego Padres. This marked the Dodgers’ first lead in a playoff game in two years. Manny Machado’s two-run homer initially put the Dodgers in a 3-0 hole, but Ohtani’s timely homer tied the game in the second inning.
The sellout crowd of 53,028 fans witnessed Ohtani’s impressive performance, with chants of “MVP! MVP!” echoing through the stadium. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised Ohtani’s ability to deliver in crucial moments, highlighting his unique talent.
After falling behind 5-3, the Dodgers staged a comeback with three runs in the fourth inning. Teoscar Hernández’s two-run single gave the Dodgers a 6-5 lead, marking their first lead in a postseason game since 2022. The team’s bullpen stepped up, delivering six scoreless innings to secure the victory.
Despite a late rally by the Padres, the Dodgers held on for a 7-5 win in their first postseason victory since 2022. The Padres had their chances, with potential tying runs on base in the ninth, but Dodgers’ pitcher Blake Treinen shut the door with a key strikeout.
Ohtani, who has waited 875 regular-season games to reach the playoffs, expressed his excitement about the intense atmosphere of the game. The matchup between the NL West rivals promises an exciting series, with the Padres looking to bounce back in Game 2.
The Dodgers will be without Clayton Kershaw for the remainder of the season due to a left big toe injury, while Joe Kelly and Brent Honeywell Jr. are also unavailable. The Padres will send Yu Darvish to the mound in Game 2 against Jack Flaherty of the Dodgers.
This game sets the stage for a thrilling postseason series between two talented teams, with both sides aiming to advance to the next round. Stay tuned for more exciting playoff action as the Dodgers and Padres battle it out for a spot in the NLCS.
