Dodgers Delivers Dominant Performance in Game 4
The opening statement came two batters into the game, Mookie Betts hitting a ball to Chula Vista, the stunned stadium enveloping him in the sweetest of silence. The follow-up statement came soon thereafter, Shohei Ohtani driving a ball down the right-field line at about 1,000 mph, the silence turning to shock.
A Statement Made
The closing argument appeared shortly after that, Will Smith blasting another weak pitch over the center-field fence, one dugout dancing, the other one sulking – game over. Three innings, one message, powerfully delivered Wednesday from the Dodgers to the suddenly harried and humbled San Diego Padres: This is not 2022. This is not happening again. This is not going to be easy. This is going the distance.
A Winner-Takes-All Game
The Padres want to steal this National League Division series again? This time they’re going to have to do it in a winner-take-all game at Dodger Stadium. Buckle up. Batten down. The fifth and final game in this brawl will take place Friday night at Chavez Ravine, the Dodgers creating the drama with a desperation 8-0 victory at Petco Park on Wednesday night.
A Game of Power and Passion
It was the largest shutout win in Dodgers playoff history. It gave life to the possibility of one of the greatest postseason series wins in Dodgers history. "See… you… Fri-day!" a resilient band of Dodgers fans chanted at Petco and, indeed, it should be something to see. It will be the biggest playoff elimination game at Dodger Stadium since Chris Taylor won the wild-card contest with a walk-off homer against the St. Louis Cardinals in 2021.
The Series Reaches its Climax
These are the two best teams left in the playoffs. Because the New York Mets upset the Philadelphia Phillies in the other National League division series, the winner of this game likely will be the favorite to not only advance to the World Series but also win it. It is only fitting that this neighborhood standoff, which was swiped and stunned by the Padres in four games two years ago, would come down to one game, one night, one more bit of drama.
Conclusion
The series opener featured a monster first punch by the home-run-hitting Ohtani. The second game was filled with showboating Padres who taunted bottle-throwing fans. When Game 3 came to San Diego, the Dodgers initially didn’t come with it, failing to show for most of a lackluster loss. This set up Wednesday’s Game 4, a contest which the Dodgers entered missing two key injured players – Freddie Freeman and Miguel Rojas – and were forced to navigate with no starter and all bullpen. But the Dodgers showed resilience and determination, coming away with a dominant 8-0 victory.
FAQs
Q: What was the significance of the Dodgers’ 8-0 victory in Game 4?
A: The win gave the Dodgers a 3-1 lead in the series, forcing the Padres to face a winner-take-all Game 5 at Dodger Stadium.
Q: What was the tone like in the Dodgers’ locker room before the game?
A: The team’s energy was relaxed and enjoyable, with players even taking time to play mini-golf in the clubhouse during pregame workouts.
Q: How did the Dodgers’ bullpen perform in the game?
A: Eight Dodgers pitchers combined to hold the Padres to five singles and two extra-base hits, not allowing the opposition to score in 15 innings dating back to the second inning of Game 3.
Q: Why was Shohei Ohtani’s play in the fourth inning significant?
A: Ohtani attempted to score on a sharply hit ball, but third base umpire Mark Ripperger’s quick recovery and throw to the catcher prevented him from reaching the plate.
