Introduction to the Game
On the mound, he self-destructed in a second inning that nearly placed the game out of his team’s reach. In the batter’s box, he struck out four times for only the seventh time in his career. A two-way player for the first time in a postseason game, Shohei Ohtani didn’t save the Dodgers on Saturday night. Instead, Ohtani was the one being saved in a 5-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 1 of their National League Division Series.
The Role of the Dodgers in Saving Ohtani
He was saved by Tyler Glasnow, Alex Vesia and Roki Sasaki, who combined to shut down the lethal Phillies lineup over the last three innings. He was saved by a two-run double by Kike Hernández in the sixth inning that reduced their deficit to 3-2. He was saved by a three-run blast by Teoscar Hernández in the seventh that moved them in front, 5-3. Ohtani said in Japanese of Hernandez’s go-ahead homer: “It was a wonderful moment. I think it was the kind of moment that made you think, ‘This is the postseason.’”
Impact of the Victory
The victory cleared a path for the Dodgers to defend a World Series title that once felt indefensible. By stealing the road win necessary to advance, the Dodgers have taken control of this best-of-five series against the Phillies, who could be the greatest obstacle in their World Series defense. The Dodgers should have the edge in starting pitching over the next two games, as Blake Snell is scheduled to start Game 2 on Monday and Yoshinobu Yamamoto Game 3 on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium. If a fifth game is required to decide this NLDS, Ohtani will be able to pitch on six-days’ rest.
Ohtani’s Performance and Contributions
Who could have imagined the Dodgers would be in this position after a game in which Ohtani staggered through a three-run second inning that left him looking as if he was eaten alive by the notoriously hostile Citizens Bank Park crowd? “He’s not always going to be perfect,” Roberts said. That being said, Roberts was quick to point out Ohtani’s contributions. How after that brutal second inning, Ohtani pitched four scoreless innings to keep the Dodgers within striking distance. How Ohtani showed bunt and stepped out of the batter’s box in his ninth-inning at-bat as part of a plan to buy more time for Sasaki to warm up to close the game.
Key Moments in the Game
Ohtani sounded particularly proud of how he struck out NL home run king Kyle Schwarber for the third out of the fifth inning. The Phillies stranded two runners. “I think it might have been a scene that decided the direction of the game,” Ohtani said. The Dodgers scored two runs in the next innings and three in the inning after that. “To kind of look at the at-bats that he took tonight and how he struggled offensively, but to separate that and just be a pitcher and weather that [second] inning and to go out there and give us six innings and keep us in the ballgame, I just don’t know any human that can manage those emotions,” Roberts said.
Conclusion
The comeback was necessary because of a second inning that started with a walk by Alec Bohm. Midway through the at-bat of the next hitter, Brandon Marsh, the Citizens Bank Park crowd started to taunt Ohtani. Sho-hei! Sho-hei! Marsh singled. Ohtani responded by reaching back and throwing a 100.2-mph fastball over the heart of the plate to J.T. Realmuto, who launched a rocket into right-center field. Heavy-footed right fielder Teoscar Hernandez failed to cut off the ball, which skipped to the outfield wall. Bohm and Marsh scored. Realmuto reached third and scored two batters later on a sacrifice fly by Harrison Bader. Just like that, the Dodgers were down, 3-0. This was not the start envisioned by the Dodgers, who set up Ohtani to be the star of this series.
FAQs
Q: Who saved Shohei Ohtani in the game against the Philadelphia Phillies?
A: Ohtani was saved by the combined efforts of Tyler Glasnow, Alex Vesia, Roki Sasaki, Kike Hernández, and Teoscar Hernández.
Q: What was the score of the game?
A: The Dodgers won 5-3 against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 1 of their National League Division Series.
Q: What is the significance of Ohtani’s performance in the game?
A: Despite struggling, Ohtani pitched four scoreless innings after a difficult second inning and contributed to the team’s victory, showcasing his ability to manage emotions and perform under pressure.
Q: What are the implications of the Dodgers’ victory?
A: The victory gives the Dodgers control of the series and sets them up for a potential World Series defense, with an edge in starting pitching in the next two games.
