Shohei Ohtani earns his first postseason win in his playoff debut as the Dodgers rally to defeat the Phillies and take the lead.

In the opening game of the MLB National League Division Series, the Dodgers faced the Phillies today. Japanese two-way star Shohei Ohtani made his first postseason start, pitching 6 innings with 89 pitches, allowing 3 hits and 3 runs, while striking out 9. He helped his team secure a 5-3 victory and recorded his first playoff win in his Major League career.

Ohtani was superb in the first inning, retiring the Phillies in order, including striking out leadoff hitter Trea Turner with a 160 km/h fastball. In the second inning, Ohtani ran into some trouble, first walking Alec Bohm, then giving up a hit to Brandon Marsh, followed by a two-run triple from J.T. Realmuto, and finally a sacrifice fly by Harrison Bader that brought in the third run.

The Dodgers’ offense came alive in the sixth inning when Enrique Hernández hit a double that brought in two runs to narrow the gap. In the seventh inning, “El Profe” Teoscar Hernández launched a three-run home run, turning the game around decisively.

After Ohtani left the game, the Dodgers brought in strong reliever Tyler Glasnow, who pitched 1.2 scoreless innings. In the ninth, “Reiwa Monster” Roki Sasaki took the mound to close, throwing a 162.5 km/h fastball on his first pitch and successfully earning his first Major League save. He said after the game that although the preparation time was short, he was glad to perform flawlessly in a crucial moment.