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Ohtani takes Dodgers to World Series again, Mariners one win away
Reuters • October 18th, 2025 5:00 pm
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani hits a home run against Milwaukee Brewers | Photo: AP
Shohei Ohtani has propelled the Los Angeles Dodgers back to the World Series with a two-way performance for the ages.
Ohtani hit three mammoth home runs and pitched two-hit ball into the seventh inning, as the Dodgers swept the Milwaukee Brewers out of the NL Championship Series with a 5-1 victory in Game 4 on Friday night.
The Dodgers now have a chance to be baseball's first repeat World Series champions in a quarter-century after this mind-blowing night for the three-time MVP Ohtani, who emphatically ended a quiet post-season by his lofty standards.
After striking out three in the top of the first, Ohtani hit the first leadoff homer by a pitcher in major league history off Brewers starter José Quintana.
Ohtani followed with a 469-foot blast in the fourth inning, clearing the left-field pavilion above the bleachers in left field.
Ohtani added a third solo shot in the seventh, becoming the 12th player in major league history to hit three homers in a playoff game.
Ohtani (2-0) also thoroughly dominated the Brewers in his second career post-season mound start, fanning 10 for his first double-digit strikeout game in a Dodgers uniform.
After the Brewers' first two batters reached in the seventh, he left the mound to a stadium-shaking ovation - and after Alex Vesia escaped the jam, Ohtani celebrated by hitting his third homer in the bottom half.
The powerhouse Dodgers are the first team to win back-to-back pennants since Philadelphia in 2009.
Los Angeles are back in the World Series for the fifth time in nine seasons, and will attempt to become baseball's first repeat champs since the New York Yankees won three straight World Series from 1998 to 2000.
After capping a 9-1 rampage through the NL playoffs with this singular performance by Ohtani, the Dodgers are headed to the World Series for the 23rd time in franchise history.
LA Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani celebrates in the dugout after his heroics | Photo: AP
Only the New York Yankees, last year's opponent, have made more appearances in the Fall Classic (41).
Los Angeles will have a week off before the World Series begins next Friday, either in Toronto or at Dodger Stadium against Seattle.
The Mariners beat the Blue Jays 6-2 earlier Friday to take a 3-2 lead in the ALCS, which continues Sunday at Rogers Centre.
Eugenio Suárez hit a go-ahead grand slam after Cal Raleigh's tying drive in a five-run eighth inning as the Mariners regained control in the American League Championship Series.
"For our fans, they've waiting a long time for this moment and we're here to give it to them. We're here to fight for a World Series," Suárez said.
Raleigh cleared the left field fence on a pitch from left-hander Brendon Little (0-1) to tie the score at 2-2.
Little then walked Jorge Polanco and Josh Naylor before being pulled for Seranthony Dominguez, who hit Randy Arozarena with a pitch to load the bases with no outs.
Suarez, who opened the scoring with a solo shot in the second, went deep with an opposite-field blast to right, shaking the foundation at T-Mobile Park.
Gabe Speier (1-0) pitched a scoreless inning of relief for the victory, and Seattle closer Andres Munoz worked a 1-2-3 ninth in a non-save situation.
