🔗 Share this article

The Dodgers' starter struck out a postseason-high nine hitters while working into the seventh inning, and the Dodgers squad seized control with a big sixth inning to overcome the Cincinnati Reds 8-4 on Wednesday night, earning a spot in the National League Division Series.

The reigning champion Dodgers advanced to their 20th NLDS appearance – 13th in a row – in franchise history and will take on the Phillies beginning Saturday in Philly. The squads previously faced off in the postseason in two thousand nine, when the Phillies defeated the Dodgers in the NL Championship Series for the second consecutive season.

“I know we can claim the title,” the star outfielder stated. “We’ve got to continue to throw well, get timely hitting and field well, and we’ll be fine.”

After hitting a franchise playoff-tying five homers in a 10-5 victory in the NL wildcard series opener on the previous day, the Dodgers eliminated the Reds by executing fundamentals and recording thirteen hits – a couple less than in the opener. Mookie Betts went 4 for 5 with three two-base hits, tying Jim Gilliam in Game 4 of the 1953 World Series for the most doubles in a single postseason game in team history.

“In my view what is evident is effective pitching, using the whole field, competing and not trying to just slug,” the skipper commented. “I think we’re taking team at-bats.”

After the Reds jumped ahead 2-0 in the first, Yamamoto set down the following thirteen hitters.

The Los Angeles rallied to take a 3-2 lead before the Japanese right-hander escaped a tight spot in the sixth. The Reds loaded the bases with no outs on consecutive singles by TJ Friedl, Spencer Steer and former Dodger Gavin Lux.

Austin Hays hit into a force play to shortstop and the right fielder fired home, where catcher Ben Rortvedt stomped on the plate to retire Friedl. Yamamoto then struck out Sal Stewart and Elly De La Cruz on back-to-back swinging strikeouts to halt the rally.

“I was just trying to empty the tank on the mound,” he said via an interpreter.

Amid waving blue towels, Yamamoto walked off to a standing ovation from the packed stadium.

“Once he got the two outs, in my opinion he sensed an opportunity at that moment and was able to attack to get the last out,” the veteran said.

Yamamoto got the initial two outs of the seventh before departing to a another round of cheers. The right-hander allowed two runs, four hits and walked two on a personal-best 113 throws. It was the most pitches by a Dodger in the postseason since Buehler threw 117 in Game 5 of the 2019 NLDS.

For the second straight night, the fans’ mood soured in the eighth. Sheehan gave up a pair of runs, cutting the lead to 8-4, before the Reds brought the tying run to the plate against Alex Vesia. He retired Friedl on a looking strikeout to end the inning in which the two relievers made a combined 41 pitches. On Tuesday, three bullpen arms needed 59 pitches to get three outs in the eighth.

Rookie Roki Sasaki worked the ninth inning, recording three outs, including striking out two batters on pitches that touched 101 mph.

The Los Angeles left men on base in each of the first five innings, but they took a 3-2 lead on Kiké Hernández’s RBI double and Miguel Rojas’ run-scoring single that hit the first-base line to chase Reds starter Zack Littell.

Ohtani’s run-scoring hit leading off the sixth ended an 0-for-9 skid against Martinez. The leadoff man added an run-scoring double down the third-base line and Teoscar Hernández delivered a two-RBI double that pushed the advantage to 7-2.

The starter could have had a shutout first inning but Hernández mishandled a Hays’ fly ball that should have been the final out. Hernández hugged the pitcher in the dugout after the Japanese star exited the contest.

Stewart’s two-run RBI single with two away eluded a lunging Freeman at first base for a two-run lead. It was Cincinnati’s initial advantage in a playoff game since Game 3 of the 2012 Division Series against San Francisco.