The Los Angeles Dodgers secured a 2-0 win over the San Diego Padres in Game 5 of the NLDS, advancing to the National League Championship Series for the third consecutive year. This victory marked the first playoff series win for Shohei Ohtani in his MLB career. Japanese-born starters Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the Dodgers and Yu Darvish of the Padres faced off in a historic pitching matchup, with the Dodgers ultimately coming out on top thanks to home runs from Kiké Hernández and Teoscar Hernández.
After losing in the NLDS to wild card teams in the previous two seasons, the Dodgers were able to avoid elimination by out-dueling the Padres in a decisive Game 5. The Padres’ star hitters, including Luis Arraez, Fernando Tatis Jr., Jurickson Profar, and Manny Machado, were unable to produce, contributing to the Dodgers’ victory. The game was tense and thrilling, with both teams combining to retire 26 consecutive batters, setting a record for the longest streak in a single postseason game.
Yamamoto, a rookie, delivered a strong performance for the Dodgers, allowing just two hits over five innings before being pulled in a high-stakes matchup against the Padres. Darvish, a veteran and childhood idol of Ohtani, struggled early on, giving up a home run to Kiké Hernández before settling down. Teoscar Hernández’s home run in the seventh sealed the victory for the Dodgers, sending them to the NLCS to face the New York Mets.
The decisive Game 5 win at home marked a significant milestone for the Dodgers, who had not won a Game 5 at home since 1981. With the best regular-season record in the majors, the Dodgers managed to avoid a third straight NLDS elimination, showcasing their resilience and determination in a challenging series against the Padres. The game attracted a sellout crowd and drew attention from notable figures like LeBron James and Hollywood celebrities.
Both Darvish and Ohtani, who had previously teamed up to win the World Baseball Classic for Japan, found themselves as rivals in the NLDS Game 5. Ohtani struck out three times, including twice against Darvish, as the Dodgers secured the win and advanced to the next round of the playoffs. While the Padres showed promise throughout the season, challenging the Dodgers for the NL West title, they ultimately fell short in the NLDS, ending their postseason run.
Overall, the Dodgers’ victory over the Padres in Game 5 of the NLDS was a thrilling and historic moment, marking the first postseason series win for Ohtani and showcasing the team’s resilience in the face of elimination. With a strong pitching performance from Yamamoto and key home runs from Hernández, the Dodgers secured their spot in the NLCS and will face the New York Mets in a best-of-seven series. The Padres now head into the offseason with optimism for the future, while the Dodgers continue their quest for a World Series title.
