Ohtani and Hernández lead Dodgers to Wild Card Series win with two homers each
- The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Cincinnati Reds 10-5 in the Wild Card Series opener.
- Blake Snell struck out nine batters, showing a strong performance on the mound.
- Ohtani and Hernández each hit two home runs, leading to a franchise-record five homers in the game.
In the United States, during the MLB postseason, the Los Angeles Dodgers secured a decisive victory over the Cincinnati Reds, winning 10-5 in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series. This match took place on October 1, 2025, showcasing a powerful offensive performance by the Dodgers. Shohei Ohtani and Teoscar Hernández both contributed significantly to the score, each hitting two home runs. Ohtani’s first homer was particularly remarkable, recorded at a record speed of 117.7 mph, making it the fastest pitch he has homered on in his career, as well as one of the hardest-hit postseason home runs tracked since 2015. Additionally, he followed up with a two-run homer in the sixth inning, solidifying the Dodgers’ lead. The game also saw contributions from other players, including Tommy Edman, who added a solo homer for the team, marking a franchise postseason record with five home runs in a single game. Pitcher Blake Snell delivered a strong performance, allowing only one hit in six innings and striking out nine batters. However, the game included a challenging eighth inning for the Dodgers' bullpen, who allowed the Reds to score three runs after issuing multiple walks. The Reds' pitching struggles were evident, with starter Hunter Greene giving up five runs and ultimately being pulled from the game after three innings. This match was crucial as both teams sought advancement to the next round, with the winning team set to face Philadelphia in a best-of-five Division Series. The Dodgers are aiming to become the first team to win back-to-back World Series titles in 25 years, something that has not been achieved since the New York Yankees did so from 1998 to 2000. As excitement builds for the remainder of the playoffs, attention will also focus on Ohtani's potential pitching contributions, although Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged that it is unlikely Ohtani would pitch in the current series. The Dodgers and Reds are prepared for another competitive game in the Wild Card Series.