The Dodgers come back against the Phillies with a key home run by Hernandez
In an unexpected turn in the National League divisional series, the Los Angeles Dodgers secured a 5-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in the first game. The key to the triumph was a three-run home run hit by Teoscar Hernández in the seventh inning, after the Phillies had led the score. The Philadelphia team, known for its solid bullpen, suffered a familiar situation: a reliever losing the lead at a crucial moment in the game. The Dodgers, for their part, with a bullpen that has presented challenges during the season, managed to maintain the lead, although with some moments of tension. Hernandez’s hit, with two outs in the seventh, was his third home run this postseason. This hit gave the victory to Shohei Ohtani, who had an outstanding performance by striking out nine batters in six innings, in his first start as a pitcher in the postseason. Tyler Glasnow, who was scheduled to be the Game 4 starter, relieved to record five outs. Roki Sasaki, who recently returned from a shoulder injury, got the final three outs to secure his first save in the Major Leagues. In the eighth inning, Alex Vesia did important work by forcing a flyout from Edmundo Sosa with the bases loaded, maintaining the lead for the Dodgers. Glasnow, who began warming up in the sixth inning when the Dodgers were losing, entered the game with the lead. “It was definitely different,” commented Glasnow, who hadn’t pitched in relief since 2018. “I was in the bathroom, and the phone rang and they yelled my name.” Cristopher Sanchez dominated the Dodgers until Enrique Hernandez hit a two-run double in the sixth inning, reducing the Dodgers’ deficit to 3-2. After David Robertson put two runners on base in the seventh, Strahm faced the top of the Dodgers’ order, starting with a left-on-left matchup with Ohtani. Strahm struck him out, being Ohtani’s fourth strikeout of the game. Teoscar Hernández, ready for his turn at bat, analyzed Strahm’s videos and waited for the opportune moment. “He prefers to throw in the strike zone,” said Hernández. “My first three at-bats, I went for a lot of low pitches. I didn’t try to overswing or anything like that. I tried to bring in a run to tie the game. But he left the ball in the strike zone.” Strahm’s outing wasn’t bad, but Hernández didn’t miss, connecting on a 394-foot home run to right-center field. Hernández has been a postseason star, tallying 25 RBIs in his first 23 games, tied with Rafael Devers and Scott Spiezio for second place, only surpassed by Lou Gehrig, who had 31. The batting coach, Aaron Bates, had mentioned the intensity and noise of the fans from the beginning of the game, as well as being prepared for the seventh inning. “He said we were going to have a chance to get back in the game,” Rojas said. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts did not confirm whether Sasaki will officially be the closer. “I felt good with Glas to a certain extent, given that he’s going to start a possible Game 4,” Roberts said. “I felt good with Vesia to a certain extent tonight. And with Roki, I felt the situation was right, you know, to ask Alex to do an up-down, I felt comfortable with him right there. Honestly, I could have used a couple of other guys in those spots, but knowing who I have, I felt good with those guys we brought out.” The Phillies face challenges similar to those of 2023 and 2024, where errors at key moments cost them important games.Robertson said there is no panic. “We’re down one game. It’s not a big deal. We play the best of five, so we have plenty of time to make up ground,” he said. “We need to come back. We have a day off tomorrow. Come back and win a game at home and then get ready to go on the road.”“I feel like I got punched in the stomach for missing two pitches,” Strahm said.
Matt Strahm
