By outdoor-nature-child.com The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the San Diego Padres 7-5 at home on October 5, securing their first victory in the Division Series. Shohei Ohtani made a significant impact by hitting a three-run homer in the second inning, tying the game and altering the course of the match. The stadium, filled to capacity with 53,028 fans, erupted in excitement. After the game, Ohtani remarked on the intensity of postseason play, stating that you can’t take it easy in the playoffs, especially against a strong opponent like the Padres. He praised his team’s performance, saying they played exceptionally well.
The Dodgers had faced elimination in the Division Series for the past two years, losing with records of 1-3 and a three-game losing streak against the Padres and the Diamondbacks, respectively. With a combined 211 wins over those two seasons, the team found it shocking that they had only played seven postseason games. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts emphasized the need for his players to fight, noting, “That’s what every teammate needs to do.”
On the mound for the Dodgers, Yoshinobu Yamamoto struggled on the fifth, giving up three runs in the first inning. Meanwhile, Ohtani capitalized on the performance of Padres starter Dylan Cease, hitting his homer in the second inning to level the score at 3-3, which drew chants of “MVP” from the crowd. Yamamoto exited after just three innings, having given up five runs; however, thanks to the support from his teammates’ offensive efforts, his performance didn’t ultimately affect the outcome.
Roberts also highlighted Ohtani’s unique ability to perform consistently under pressure, stating, “I’ve never seen anyone perform like him when it matters most. I hope other players can develop that same ability.”
Reflecting on his seventh year in the league, Ohtani expressed his excitement at finally reaching the postseason after 875 regular-season games. He finished the game with two hits in five at-bats, three RBIs, and two runs scored, despite striking out twice. He commented, “You can feel the intensity of the game before it even starts, and I really enjoy that atmosphere.”