Shohei Ohtani hits 3 homers and strikes out 10 in Dodgers’ clinching 5-1 NLCS win over Brewers : NPR

[ad_1] <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/7029x4686+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fab%2Fbb%2F0d381ff44c3986ee4dceab05670a%2Fap25291026284256.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/7029x4686+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fab%2Fbb%2F0d381ff44c3986ee4dceab05670a%2Fap25291026284256.jpg" class="img" alt="Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani throws against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning in Game 4 of baseball's National League Championship Series, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Los Angeles." fetchpriority="high"/> Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani throws towards the Milwaukee Brewers throughout the first inning in Sport 4 of baseball's Nationwide League Championship Sequence, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Los Angeles. Ashley Landis/AP disguise caption

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Ashley Landis/AP LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani 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 shutout ball into the seventh inning, and the Dodgers swept the Milwaukee Brewers out of the Nationwide League Championship Sequence with a 5-1 victory in Sport 4 on Friday evening.

"That was in all probability the best postseason efficiency of all time," Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts stated. "There's been lots of postseason video games. And there is a purpose why he is the best participant on the planet."

The Dodgers can have an opportunity to grow to be baseball's first repeat World Sequence champions in a quarter-century after this mind-blowing evening for the three-time MVP, who emphatically ended a quiet postseason by his lofty requirements. Ohtani was chosen the NLCS MVP primarily on the energy of this one unforgettable sport.

"This time round it was my flip to have the ability to carry out," he stated by means of his interpreter.

After hanging out three within the high of the primary inning, 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 drive within the fourth, clearing a pavilion roof in right-center.

He added a 3rd solo shot within the seventh, changing into the twelfth massive league participant to hit three homers in a postseason sport. His three homers traveled a mixed 1,342 ft.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/8519x5680+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F19%2F42%2F48e2841d4980975a4fbf62abefbd%2Fap25291123777311.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/8519x5680+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F19%2F42%2F48e2841d4980975a4fbf62abefbd%2Fap25291123777311.jpg" class="img" alt="Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki and catcher Will Smith celebrates their win against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 4 of baseball's National League Championship Series, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Los Angeles." loading="lazy"/> Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki and catcher Will Smith celebrates their win towards the Milwaukee Brewers in Sport 4 of baseball's Nationwide League Championship Sequence, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Los Angeles. Brynn Anderson/AP disguise caption

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Brynn Anderson/AP Ohtani additionally totally dominated the Brewers in his second profession postseason begin on the mound, permitting two hits in his first double-digit strikeout sport in a Dodgers uniform. He did not permit a success till the fourth, and he fanned two Brewers within the fourth, fifth and sixth.

"Generally you have to test your self and contact him to verify he is not simply fabricated from metal," stated teammate Freddie Freeman, final season's World Sequence MVP. "Completely unimaginable. Largest stage, and he goes out and does one thing like that. It's going to in all probability be remembered because the Shohei Ohtani sport."

After the Brewers' first two batters reached within the seventh, Ohtani 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 grow to be baseball's first repeat champs for the reason that New York Yankees received three straight World Sequence from 1998 to 2000.

"That was particular," Freeman stated. "We have simply been enjoying actually good baseball for some time now, and the inevitable type of occurred in the present day — Shohei. Oh my God. I am nonetheless speechless."

Following a 9-1 rampage by means of the NL playoffs, the Dodgers are headed to the World Sequence for the twenty third time in franchise historical past, together with 14 pennants since transferring from Brooklyn to Los Angeles. Solely the Yankees, final yr's opponent, have made extra appearances within the Fall Traditional (41).

Los Angeles can 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.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/7614x5077+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ff2%2Fea%2F9b59fc1f4b1d851a9cff97af3c6b%2Fap25291153839547.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/7614x5077+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ff2%2Fea%2F9b59fc1f4b1d851a9cff97af3c6b%2Fap25291153839547.jpg" class="img" alt="Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani celebrates their win against the Milwaukee Brewers in baseball's National League Championship Series, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Los Angeles." loading="lazy"/> Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani celebrates their win towards the Milwaukee Brewers in baseball's Nationwide League Championship Sequence, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Los Angeles. Ashley Landis/AP disguise caption

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Ashley Landis/AP The Dodgers had by no means swept an NLCS in 16 earlier appearances, however they turned solely the fifth crew to brush this sequence whereas totally dominating a Milwaukee membership that led the most important leagues with 97 wins throughout the season. Los Angeles is the primary crew to brush a best-of-seven postseason sequence since 2022, and the primary to brush an NLCS since Washington in 2019.

"Earlier than this season began, they stated the Dodgers are ruining baseball," Roberts shouted to the gang throughout the on-field celebration. "Let's get 4 extra wins and actually damage baseball!"

The NL Central champion Brewers have 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 document for wins this season, Milwaukee continues to be ready for its first World Sequence look since 1982.

"We have been a part of tonight an iconic, perhaps the perfect particular person efficiency ever in a postseason sport," Brewers supervisor Pat Murphy stated. "I do not 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 sequence 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.

"I actually suppose that to beat us 4 video games in a row, you have to do lots of issues proper," outfielder Blake Perkins stated. "Some issues needed to go their means that did not go our means. We hit lots of balls at folks. However both means, Ohtani did nice in the present day. Is he the best participant ever? I do not know. However he certain appeared prefer it tonight."

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.

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.