Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani watches his third home run of the night against the Milwaukee Brewers in the seventh inning during Friday’s Game 4 of the NLCS at Dodger Stadium. TSN
Shohei Ohtani delivered a performance for the ages, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a sweeping victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. The Dodgers clinched the National League Championship Series with a 5-1 win in Game 4 on Friday night.
Ohtani’s two-way mastery—hitting three massive home runs and striking out 10 while pitching into the seventh inning—propelled the Dodgers back to the World Series. The three-time MVP’s performance turned a quiet postseason into a historic showcase. Ohtani was named NLCS MVP, largely due to this unforgettable game.
“It was really fun on both sides of the ball today,” Ohtani said through an interpreter. “As a representative of the team, I’m taking this trophy, and let’s get four more wins.”
Record-Breaking Homers
Ohtani set the tone immediately. After striking out three in the top of the first, he hit the first-ever leadoff homer by a pitcher in Major League history off Brewers starter Jose Quintana.
He added a 469-foot blast in the fourth inning, clearing a pavilion roof in right-center. Ohtani’s third solo homer came in the seventh, making him only the 12th player in MLB history to hit three homers in a playoff game. In total, his homers traveled 1,342 feet.
Dominant on the Mound
Ohtani also shined as a pitcher, allowing just two hits while striking out 10 in his second career postseason start. This marked his first double-digit strikeout game with the Dodgers.
He became the first MLB player to hit more homers (3) than hits allowed (2) in a postseason pitching start. Additionally, Ohtani is the first player in history to hit two-plus homers as a pitcher in a postseason game.
“Sometimes you’ve got to check yourself and touch him to make sure he’s not just made of steel,” said Freddie Freeman, last season’s World Series MVP. “Absolutely incredible. This will probably be remembered as the Shohei Ohtani game.”
Dodgers Make History
After Milwaukee’s first two batters reached in the seventh, Ohtani left the mound to a roaring ovation. Reliever Alex Vesia escaped the jam, and Ohtani capped the night with his third homer.
The Dodgers are now the first team to win back-to-back NL pennants since 2009. Los Angeles is heading to the World Series for the fifth time in nine seasons, aiming to become the first repeat champions since the New York Yankees’ three straight titles from 1998-2000.
“That was special,” Freeman said. “We’ve been playing really good baseball for a while now, and the inevitable happened today—Shohei. Oh my God. I’m still speechless.”
Sweep Seals the Dodgers’ Dominance
The Dodgers swept the NLCS for the first time in franchise history, dominating a 97-win Brewers team. Their four starters combined for 28⅔ innings with just two earned runs and 35 strikeouts.
After Ohtani’s homer, the Dodgers added two more runs in the first inning with Mookie Betts and Will Smith scoring. Brewers’ first hit came in the fourth, but Ohtani stranded the runner with two strikeouts and a groundout.
Milwaukee’s bats stayed silent, and the Brewers were eliminated by the Dodgers for the third time in seven playoff appearances. They remain in search of their first World Series appearance since 1982.
“We were part of an iconic, maybe the best individual performance ever in a postseason game,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. “A guy punches out 10 and hits three homers. Nobody can argue with that.”
World Series Awaits
Los Angeles will have a week off before the World Series starts next Friday, facing either Toronto or Seattle. The Mariners took a 3-2 ALCS lead over the Blue Jays, continuing Sunday at Rogers Centre.
Manager Dave Roberts, celebrating on the field, rallied the crowd: “Before this season started, they said the Dodgers are ruining baseball. Let’s get four more wins and really ruin it!”
The Dodgers are now heading to the Fall Classic for the 23rd time in franchise history, with 14 pennants since moving to Los Angeles from Brooklyn. Only the Yankees have more World Series appearances.
