Dodgers force Game 5/ Dodgers Padres Game 5/ Betts and Ohtani Dodgers/ Dodgers NLDS win/ Newslooks/ SAN DIEGO/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Mookie Betts and Shohei Ohtani led the Los Angeles Dodgers to an 8-0 victory over the San Diego Padres in Game 4 of the NLDS, tying the series and setting up a deciding Game 5. Betts homered for the second consecutive night, while Ohtani’s RBI single helped secure the largest shutout win in Dodgers’ postseason history.
Dodgers Dominate Padres 8-0, Forcing Decisive Game 5 in NLDS – Quick Looks
- Power Performances: Betts homered again, and Ohtani delivered a key RBI to keep the Dodgers alive.
- Strong Relief: The Dodgers used a bullpen approach, holding the Padres scoreless across 15 innings.
- High Stakes for Game 5: The final showdown on Friday will determine which team advances to face the New York Mets in the NLCS.
- Padres’ Struggle: San Diego’s gamble with starting Dylan Cease on short rest failed, allowing L.A. to capitalize early.
Dodgers Dominate Padres 8-0, Betts and Ohtani Lead Charge to Game 5
Deep Look
In a crucial Game 4 of the National League Division Series (NLDS), the Los Angeles Dodgers, led by Mookie Betts and Shohei Ohtani, soundly defeated the San Diego Padres 8-0 on Wednesday night, forcing a winner-takes-all Game 5 on Friday. The Dodgers, rebounding after two losses, showcased a powerful offense paired with a strategic bullpen approach that kept San Diego scoreless and subdued their enthusiastic home crowd at Petco Park.
Betts and Ohtani Keep Dodgers in the Game
Betts set the tone early, hitting a solo home run in the first inning and then driving in another run later in the game, marking his second consecutive night with a homer. Ohtani contributed an RBI single and reached base three times, making an impact as the Dodgers sought to stay in the postseason race.
“We have a team of grinders, a team of fighters,” Betts said after the game, highlighting the squad’s resilience. “We knew this series wouldn’t be easy.”
The Dodgers now return to their home turf at Dodger Stadium, where the decisive Game 5 will take place. The winner will secure a spot in the National League Championship Series (NLCS) against the New York Mets.
Dodgers’ Bullpen Shines in High-Stakes Game
The Dodgers adopted a bullpen strategy, using opener Ryan Brasier and seven other relievers to limit the Padres to just seven hits. The relievers showcased efficiency and control, with Evan Phillips earning the win after an impressive sixth inning, where he retired three hitters on only five pitches.
“Everyone was dialed in tonight,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, emphasizing the relievers’ focus. “They knew they might need to go a little longer than usual, so their efficiency in the strike zone really set us up well for Game 5.”
The Dodgers’ pitching staff kept the Padres scoreless for 15 consecutive innings, quieting a record crowd of 47,773 at Petco Park that had hoped to see their team clinch the NLDS at home.
Padres’ Bet on Cease Backfires
San Diego’s decision to start Dylan Cease on short rest didn’t pay off. Cease struggled early, allowing Betts’ solo homer on a full-count pitch in the first inning. After walking two in the second inning, he surrendered an RBI single to Ohtani, putting Los Angeles up 2-0 and ending Cease’s night after just 38 pitches.
“I felt good out there, but it just didn’t go my way,” Cease said. “I liked the way the ball was coming out of my hand, but the results just weren’t there.”
Bryan Hoeing took over for Cease but couldn’t stop the Dodgers’ momentum. Betts hit an RBI single off Hoeing’s first pitch, making it 3-0, and Will Smith added a two-run homer in the third inning, extending the Dodgers’ lead to 5-0.
Dodgers Pile on the Pressure
The Dodgers’ offense continued its onslaught. Smith’s home run in the third inning sent the ball over the center field fence, further deflating the Padres and their fans. In the seventh, Tommy Edman’s sacrifice bunt and Gavin Lux’s two-run homer off Wandy Peralta made it 8-0, putting the game out of reach.
Despite the Dodgers’ dominance, San Diego’s Fernando Tatis Jr., who had been hitting home runs throughout the series, was kept in check. Brasier struck out Tatis in the first inning, marking his first strikeout in six playoff games.
The Padres were left searching for answers after being shut out in a critical home game. “Credit to them,” Tatis said. “We’ve been strong on offense, but tonight we couldn’t find the right approach as a team.”
The Road to Game 5
With the series tied 2-2, both teams now look to Game 5 for a chance to advance to the NLCS. The Padres are expected to start Yu Darvish, while the Dodgers have not yet named their starter. Game 5 promises to be a high-stakes showdown as both teams battle to secure the final NLCS spot and continue their postseason journey.
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