The Los Angeles Dodgers powered through the Cincinnati Reds with an 8-4 victory in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series on Wednesday night, clinching their spot in the National League Division Series (NLDS). Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivered a standout performance, striking out nine batters and pitching into the seventh inning to anchor the Dodgers’ advance against the Philadelphia Phillies starting Saturday.
After smashing five home runs in their 10-5 win in Game 1, the Dodgers shifted gears this time, relying on timely hits and smart baseball to rack up 13 knocks— just two shy of their opener total. Mookie Betts stole the show at the plate, going 4-for-5 with three doubles and driving in three runs to fuel the offense.
The Reds jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning thanks to Spencer Steer’s two-run single that slipped past Freddie Freeman’s glove at first base—Cincinnati’s first postseason lead since 2012. But Yamamoto quickly settled in, retiring the next 13 batters in a row to keep the Dodgers in striking distance.
Los Angeles clawed back in the fourth, taking a 3-2 edge on Kiké Hernández’s RBI double and Miguel Rojas’ sharp single down the first-base line, which chased Reds starter Zack Littell from the mound. The real fireworks came in the sixth, where the Dodgers exploded for four runs to build an 7-2 cushion. Shohei Ohtani kicked it off with an RBI single to snap his 0-for-9 slump against Cincinnati reliever Nick Martinez. Betts followed with another RBI double, and Teoscar Hernández capped the rally with a two-run double down the line.
Yamamoto faced his biggest test in the bottom of the sixth with the bases loaded and no outs, as TJ Friedl, Steer, and ex-Dodger Gavin Lux singled their way on. He stayed cool under pressure: Austin Hays grounded into a fielder’s choice, and Betts’ laser throw home nailed Friedl at the plate. Yamamoto then fanned Sal Stewart and Elly De La Cruz on swinging strikeouts to escape the jam. Fans at Dodger Stadium waved blue rally towels as he walked off to a roaring standing ovation from the 50,465 in attendance. He returned for two quick outs in the seventh before exiting after tossing a career-high 113 pitches, allowing just two runs on four hits and two walks.
The Dodgers’ bullpen wobbled again in the eighth, coughing up two runs to make it 8-4, but Alex Vesia struck out Friedl with the tying run at the plate to slam the door. Rookie sensation Roki Sasaki closed out the ninth with fastballs hitting 101 mph, fanning Steer and Lux to seal the win.
One early hiccup nearly cost Yamamoto: Teoscar Hernández dropped a fly ball in the first that let the Reds score, but the Japanese righty bounced back strong, earning a hug from Hernández in the dugout after his exit.
Now, the Dodgers head to Philadelphia for the NLDS, facing off against the Phillies for the first time in the playoffs since 2009, when Philly won the NL Championship Series. This MLB postseason matchup promises plenty of excitement for baseball fans everywhere.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
