Shohei Ohtani made a memorable postseason debut by hitting a three-run homer, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 7-5 victory over the San Diego Padres in the NL Division Series opener. The game saw early action with Manny Machado's two-run homer putting the Dodgers in a 3-0 deficit, but Ohtani quickly responded with a game-tying homer in the second inning.
The Dodgers found themselves trailing 5-3 before mounting a comeback with three runs in the fourth inning. Teoscar Hernández's two-run single gave Los Angeles its first lead in a playoff game in two years. The sellout crowd of 53,028 witnessed the Dodgers taking the lead for the first time in a postseason game since 2022.
The Padres had opportunities to tie the game late but fell short, with the Dodgers' bullpen delivering six scoreless innings to secure the win. Ohtani, who finished with three RBIs and two runs scored, expressed his enjoyment of the intense atmosphere at the stadium.
The victory marked the Dodgers' first postseason win since 2022, and they improved to 1-15 in playoff games when trailing by three or more runs through the first inning. The NL West rivals are meeting in the playoffs for the third time in five years, with the Dodgers looking to avenge their previous postseason loss to the Padres.
The game featured standout performances from key players, including Ohtani, Machado, and Fernando Tatis Jr. Despite the Padres' efforts, the Dodgers' resilience and timely hitting proved to be the difference-maker in the game.
Looking ahead, the Padres will send Yu Darvish to the mound in Game 2 against the Dodgers' Jack Flaherty, setting the stage for another exciting matchup between the two teams.
Overall, the Dodgers' victory in the NL Division Series opener showcased their ability to overcome early deficits and deliver in crucial moments, setting the stage for an intriguing postseason series between the two NL West rivals.
