In a dramatic National League Championship Series finale on Thursday, the Milwaukee Brewers advanced to the World Series by sweeping the Los Angeles Dodgers in four games. The decisive Game 4 featured a spectacular early performance by Dodgers leadoff hitter Shohei Ohtani, who launched a 428‑foot, 113.1‑mph three‑run homer to give Los Angeles a 4‑0 lead in the second inning.
Ohtani’s early heroics
Back atop the batting order, Ohtani went 1‑for‑4 with three strikeouts. His solo blast came off former teammate Dustin May and marked the Dodgers’ first home run of the series and Ohtani’s first long ball since August 18. The swing, described by broadcasters as “smooth and powerful,” briefly revived hopes of a comeback.
Brewers rally and clinch series
Milwaukee responded quickly. After Ohtani’s homer, the Brewers loaded the bases and capitalized on a key two‑out double by their rookie outfielder, followed by a clutch strikeout from veteran reliever JoJo Romero. Aaron Ashby entered later and helped shut down the Dodgers’ offense, limiting Los Angeles to just two runs after the early surge.
Milwaukee’s offense continued to press, scoring six runs on a mix of timely hits and solid baserunning. The Brewers’ pitching staff, anchored by starter Brandon Woodruff, kept the Dodgers’ lineup in check, striking out several key hitters and preventing any further big innings.
Injuries and lineup adjustments
Ohtani has been battling nagging injuries to his left knee and right biceps all season, which have kept him from pitching since the All‑Star break. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts moved Ohtani back to the leadoff spot for Game 4, hoping his bat could spark a rally despite the lingering health concerns.
Roberts praised Ohtani’s effort, saying, “He’s the best player on the planet, and even though he’s not completely healthy, I respect his willingness to keep playing and help the team.” The manager also noted that the lineup shift was intended to restore some normalcy after a recent loss when Ohtani batted sixth.
Looking ahead
With the series over, the Brewers will face the American League champion in the World Series, marking their first appearance in 44 years. The Dodgers, meanwhile, will regroup in the offseason, focusing on Ohtani’s recovery and evaluating roster moves to return stronger next year.
Ohtani told reporters after the game that he expects to pitch next season, though he remains uncertain about the need for surgery on his injuries. “Hard to tell at this point,” he said. “It will be analyzed over the offseason.”
Roberts concluded, “I’ll always trust Shohei. He gave us a great effort, and we’ll build on that as we move forward.”
Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.
