Shohei Ohtani started and pitched 6 innings with 10 strikeouts while hitting three home runs, becoming the first player in history to achieve this; the Dodgers advanced to the World Series aiming to defend their title.

In Game 4 of the National League Championship Series today (18th), Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way star Shohei Ohtani started for the second time in the playoffs. He delivered a strong performance with 6 scoreless innings and 10 strikeouts, marking his longest pitching outing and highest pitch count (100 pitches) since resuming two-way play this year, as well as his first game with 10 strikeouts. Offensively, Ohtani ended his recent slump by hitting three home runs in the game, joining the ranks of only 12 players (13 instances) in MLB postseason history to do so. Combining three home runs and 10 strikeouts in the same game was unprecedented. The Dodgers won the game 5-1, sweeping the Milwaukee Brewers 4-0 in the series and advancing to the World Series.

Ohtani faced the first batter, Brice Turang, and issued a walk after six pitches, but remained unfazed. He then struck out Jackson Chourio, Christian Yelich, and William Contreras consecutively, escaping the inning with three straight strikeouts.

In the bottom half, facing Brewers left-hander Jose Quintana, Ohtani seized a hanging breaking ball and decisively swung, sending a solo home run over the right field wall. Following that, Mookie Betts and Will Smith hit consecutive singles, creating more scoring opportunities for the Dodgers. Though Freddie Freeman struck out, Tommy Edman delivered a key hit, and with Teoscar Hernández’s grounder coverage, the Dodgers added two more runs to extend their lead.

Ohtani remained dominant in the second inning, retiring the Brewers in order with just 10 pitches. In the bottom half, after two outs, he drew a walk but Betts failed to capitalize, leaving runners stranded.

In the top of the third, although Ohtani walked Blake Perkins allowing the Brewers to get on base, he quickly regained control by striking out Joey Ortiz to relieve some pressure. When facing Turang, who hit a fly ball to left field, Enrique Hernández made a steady catch and threw to first base in time to double off Perkins, completing a beautiful 7-3 double play.

In the bottom of the third, after singles by Smith and Freeman, the Brewers’ coaching staff brought in Chad Patrick to replace the pitcher. Patrick successfully executed the plan, recording three outs and preserving the score.

In the fourth inning, Ohtani’s inside breaking ball was hit hard by Chourio for a long fly to left field. Despite this, Ohtani stayed composed, inducing a groundout from Yelich and striking out the next two batters, preventing any runs. In the bottom half, with two outs, Ohtani came to bat again and took advantage of Patrick’s inside cutter, pulling the ball over the right field wall for his second home run of the game, further extending the Dodgers’ lead.

During the fifth and sixth innings, Ohtani kept his momentum, retiring the side in order in both innings, including four consecutive strikeouts spanning the innings. By the end of the sixth, he had amassed 10 strikeouts against the Brewers.

In the seventh inning, Ohtani continued pitching but issued a walk to Yelich and then gave up a hit to Contreras. The coaching staff then decided to bring in Alex Vesia. Vesia promptly induced a pop fly from pinch hitter Andrew Vaughn and then generated a double play from Sal Frelick, helping the Dodgers escape a potential scoring threat.

After Ohtani left the mound in the bottom of the seventh, he remained a potent force at the plate. Facing the third pitcher, Trevor Megill, Ohtani smashed a 99 mph fastball over the center field wall for his third home run of the game, securing the Dodgers’ victory. Notably, he surpassed the previous record set by Japanese Yankees legend Hideki Matsui, who hit three homers in a single postseason game in 2009. Including two homers from the Wild Card game, Ohtani has hit five home runs in this postseason, making him the Japanese player with the most home runs in a single MLB playoff season.

In the eighth inning, the Dodgers’ bullpen issues resurfaced. Blake Treinen allowed a long hit to Caleb Durbin, who then stole third base. Treinen also walked Druw Monasterio, creating runners on first and third. After striking out Isaac Collins, the coaching staff brought in left-hander Anthony Banda to face the Brewers’ hitters. Banda induced a ground ball from Turang, but Turang reached base on a fielder’s choice, allowing the Brewers to score a run.

As the game neared its end, the Dodgers called on “Reiwa Demon” Roki Sasaki to close. Although his high splitter was hit by Contreras for a single, Sasaki quickly retired Vaughn, Frelick, and Durbin, securing the win. The Dodgers defeated the Brewers 5-1 and advanced to the World Series.

The 2025 World Series will begin on October 25th Beijing time. The Dodgers will strive for their ninth championship in franchise history (including the Brooklyn Dodgers era) and aim to achieve the first consecutive title in 25 years. Their opponent will be the winner of the series between the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays. After five games in the American League Championship Series, the Mariners currently lead the series 3-2.