Decades of heartbreak gave way to jubilation on Oct. 19, 2017, when the Los Angeles Dodgers closed out the Chicago Cubs in the National League Championship Series to reach the World Series for the first time since 1988.
It was another accomplishment in what had been a magical year that saw the Dodgers finish with the best record in baseball at 104-58. The NL pennant was the Dodgers’ 22nd at the time, and they have since added one more to tie with the San Francisco Giants (23) for most in league history.
What had already been a lopsided NLCS turned into a full fledge rout in Game 5. The Dodgers did not waste any time getting on the scoreboard, beginning with Kiké Hernandez taking Cubs starter Jose Quintana deep in the top of the second inning for a 2-0 lead.
That home run was Hernandez’s first of the postseason and the start of a record-setting night. He hit another in the third inning, that time a grand slam to break the game open at 7-0.
Then for good measure, Herandez hit a third home run in the top of the ninth to cap off the 11-1 victory. Hernandez became the first player to hit three home runs in a postseason game at Wrigley Field, and his seven RBI set an NLCS record.
The performance was particularly special for Hernandez and his family as his father, Enrique Sr., was at Wrigley Field to watch the game. He has previously dealt with cancer, which Hernandez opened up about the challenges it created for the family.
Additionally, Hernandez’s heroics came in the midst of his native Puerto Rico dealing with the devastation from Hurricane Maria. Dodgers owner Mark Walter promised to donate to the relief efforts if Hernandez went deep in Game 5, and he responded with a career-high three home runs.
The Dodgers outscored the Cubs in the series, 28-8, and their bullpen threw 17 scoreless innings in the NLCS, which combined with their work in the NL Division Series, amounted to breaking an MLB postseason record with 23 shutout innings.
Top Dodgers moments of the previous decade
No. 2: Clayton Kershaw’s no-hitter
No. 3: Charlie Culberson’s division-clinching home run in Vin Scully’s final home game
No. 4: Justin Turner’s walk-off home run in Game 2 of the 2017 NLCS
No. 5: Rookies combine to set MLB record
No. 6: Max Muncy’s walk-off home run ends longest World Series game in MLB history
No. 7: Yasiel Puig’s MLB debut against San Diego Padres in 2013
No. 8: Juan Uribe hits a game-winning home run against Atlanta Braves in 2013 NLDS
No. 9: Dodgers clinch NL West title in 2013
No. 10: Adrian Gonzalez hits home run in first at-bat with Dodgers
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