The Los Angeles Dodgers completed their National League Division Series comeback with a thrilling 2-0 victory against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium.
They were led by a strong start from Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Kiké Hernández and Teoscar Hernández hitting solo home runs off Yu Darvish. With that, the Dodgers are back in the NL Championship Series for the first time since 2021.
After plenty of deliberation over how to best assemble their pitching plan for winner-take-all Game 5, the Dodgers settled on entrusting Yamamoto against a Padres team that had given him fits throughout the year, including most recently in the NLDS opener.
Yamamoto responded in resounding fashion as he allowed just two hits and got through five scoreless innings. He was provided a lead in the second inning when Kiké Hernández ambushed a first-pitch fastball from Darvish for his 14th career postseason home run.
Kiké loves the big stage.
(🎥: @MLB) pic.twitter.com/JByCRE0dZ8— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) October 12, 2024
Ace.
(🎥: @MLB) pic.twitter.com/OpmCckofof— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) October 12, 2024
Yoshinobu was everything the #Dodgers needed tonight.
(🎥: @MLBONFOX) pic.twitter.com/mSfFynMyJ6— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) October 12, 2024
As Yamamoto walked off the field following the fifth inning, he was greeted at the top of the dugout steps by manager Dave Roberts. He gave Yamamoto a hug and congratulated him on a job well done.
Too Manny swings and misses.
(🎥: @MLB) pic.twitter.com/6D2Tle0IeR— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) October 12, 2024
The Dodgers bullpen then added onto their dominant showing from Game 4. Though, Alex Vesia did suffer an injury that could impact his availability for the NLCS when it begins on Sunday.
🔥🔥🔥
(🎥: @MLBONFOX) pic.twitter.com/h7xJ79yDFd— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) October 12, 2024
IT IS OFFICIALLY TEOCTOBER!
(🎥: @MLBONFOX) pic.twitter.com/sFZrkFtl1C— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) October 12, 2024
As Dodgers relief pitchers continued to pass the baton to one another, Teoscar Hernández provided some insurance with a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh. That not only doubled the Dodgers lead but also snapped a string of 14 consecutive batters retired by Darvish.
Kopech 🔥
(🎥: @MLB) pic.twitter.com/PJX2cjIkgw— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) October 12, 2024
Time to celebrate, then get back to work.
(🎥: @Dodgers) pic.twitter.com/ZfqG0Y6P6Z— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) October 12, 2024
#Dodgers enjoying their NLDS win. pic.twitter.com/n90VtPYQdl
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) October 12, 2024
Good guy Kevin Kiermaier showing his buddies where the cooler is. pic.twitter.com/6XWldXC7XZ
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) October 12, 2024
A celebration was had. pic.twitter.com/7vJqpYMrmk
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) October 12, 2024
Find somebody who looks at you the way Shohei does with Decoy.https://t.co/8bmWQC6WJa pic.twitter.com/bJJxRuriDb
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) October 12, 2024
After Michael Kopech worked a clean eighth inning, Blake Treinen retired the side in order to convert the save opportunity. Treinen recorded the final out against Fernando Tatis Jr., who was one of multiple Padres antagonists during the NLDS.
Dodgers celebrate eliminating Padres
As players opened champagne and beer bottles, the speaker system in the Dodgers clubhouse played Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” which has become an unofficial anthem of sorts for the team.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!