Dodgers Dominate Early as Reds Fight Back in Game 1 of NL Wild Card Series
The stage was set for an electrifying clash in Los Angeles, but it was the Dodgers who struck first and hardest in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series. The Cincinnati Reds, known for their resilience, found themselves in a daunting hole early on, ultimately falling to the Dodgers 10-5.
Early Damage from the Dodgers
The Dodgers wasted no time asserting their dominance, launching five home runs that set the tone for the night. Shohei Ohtani, Teoscar Hernández, and Tommy Edman each contributed to the onslaught, with Ohtani smashing two homers and Hernández adding another pair. This power display tied a postseason franchise record, a testament to the Dodgers’ explosive offense that led the National League with 244 home runs during the regular season.
The fireworks began in the first inning when Ohtani’s lead-off home run ignited the crowd. The Dodgers continued to build their lead, with Hernández and Edman striking back-to-back in the third inning, pushing the score to 5-0. By the time the dust settled after the sixth inning, the Dodgers held an imposing 8-0 lead, showcasing their ability to capitalize on every opportunity.
Hunter Greene Struggles in His Postseason Debut
For Reds ace Hunter Greene, the night proved to be a challenging debut in the postseason spotlight. The right-hander, pitching in front of friends and family in his hometown, struggled to find his rhythm. He allowed three home runs in just three innings, surrendering six hits and five earned runs. Greene’s night ended prematurely after 65 pitches, leaving the Reds in a precarious position as they sought to mount a comeback.
Despite the rough outing, Greene managed to strike out four batters, but the damage was done. His inability to contain the Dodgers’ powerful lineup was a critical factor in Cincinnati’s defeat.
Reds Show Resilience, but Fall Short
The Reds, however, are no strangers to adversity. They displayed their tenacity by rallying in the seventh and eighth innings, scoring five runs and narrowing the deficit to 10-5. Elly De La Cruz, who had a standout moment with an RBI fielder’s choice, was pivotal in this resurgence. Tyler Stephenson followed suit with a double that brought home crucial runs, and the Reds even left the bases loaded in the eighth, a missed opportunity that highlighted their struggle to fully capitalize on their chances.
Blake Snell, the two-time Cy Young Award winner for the Dodgers, was a formidable opponent on the mound, pitching a shutout into the seventh inning. He struck out nine and allowed only four hits, neutralizing the Reds’ efforts at the plate. His dominance was a significant reason why the Reds found themselves on the losing end of the scoreboard.
Scoring Summary
The scoring unfolded as follows:
Bottom 1st: LAD: Shohei Ohtani solo home run (Dodgers lead 1-0)
Bottom 3rd: LAD: Teoscar Hernández three-run home run (Dodgers lead 4-0)
Bottom 3rd: LAD: Tommy Edman solo home run (Dodgers lead 5-0)
Bottom 5th: LAD: Teoscar Hernández solo home run (Dodgers lead 6-0)
Bottom 6th: LAD: Shohei Ohtani two-run home run (Dodgers lead 8-0)
Top 7th: CIN: Elly De La Cruz RBI fielder’s choice (Dodgers lead 8-1)
Top 7th: CIN: Tyler Stephenson RBI double (Dodgers lead 8-2)
Bottom 7th: LAD: Alex Call RBI single (Dodgers lead 9-2)
Bottom 7th: LAD: Ben Rortvedt RBI single (Dodgers lead 10-2)
Top 8th: CIN: Sal Stewart RBI walk (Dodgers lead 10-3)
Top 8th: CIN: Spencer Steer RBI single (Dodgers lead 10-4)
Top 8th: CIN: Elly De La Cruz RBI walk (Dodgers lead 10-5)
Looking Ahead to Game 2
With their season hanging in the balance, the Reds will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for Game 2 of the Wild Card Series. Scheduled for Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium, the matchup will feature Reds right-hander Zack Littell, who has been impressive since joining the team, facing off against Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto. First pitch is set for 9:08 E.T., and the stakes couldn’t be higher for Cincinnati as they aim to extend their postseason hopes.
