The Los Angeles Dodgers<\/a> rolled past the Cincinnati Reds<\/a> to advance to the NLDS. Powered by a strong outing from Yoshinobu Yamamoto<\/a> and an offensive surge, the Dodgers built an early cushion and never looked back. The Dodgers secured the sweep behind clutch hitting and steady pitching.<\/p>\n The game started with the Reds capitalizing early on defensive mishaps by the Dodgers. Teoscar Hernandez<\/a> dropped a routine fly from Austin Hays<\/a> that would’ve ended the first inning. Instead, the Reds continued the inning, and rookie Sal Stewart hit an RBI single that drove in Hays and Gavin Lux<\/a>. What could’ve been a scoreless inning turned into a two-run deficit for the Dodgers.<\/p>\n However, Yamamoto didn’t miss a step after that unfortunate inning. He showed poise and retired the next thirteen batters he faced, not surrendering another hit until the sixth inning.<\/p>\n In the third, the Dodgers started with a Ben Rortvedt<\/a> double. Mookie Betts<\/a> drove him in with a single to right field, bringing the deficit to one run. In the fourth, the Dodgers evened the score with an RBI double from Kik\u00e9 Hernandez<\/a> that drove in Max Muncy<\/a> from first. Miguel Rojas<\/a> gave the Dodgers the lead with a single to shallow left that drove in Hernandez.<\/p>\n In the sixth inning, it looked like the Reds were ready to take back the lead. Yamamoto had worked himself into a bases-loaded situation with no outs. After not allowing a hit for the previous four innings, TJ Friedl<\/a>, Spencer Steer<\/a>, and Lux all hit singles. Yamamoto escaped the inning unscathed as Hays grounded into a force play at home before the next two batters struck out.<\/p>\n In the seventh inning, the Dodgers blew the game open. Kik\u00e9 singled and advanced to third on a groundout by Rojas and a bunt by Rortvedt, where he reached first due to an errant throw by Stewart. This brought Shohei Ohtani<\/a> up, who singled and scored Kik\u00e9. Mookie doubled, bringing in two runs to make the game 5-2. After intentionally walking Freddie Freeman<\/a>, Teo amended his earlier error by doubling and making the score 7-2.<\/p>\n By the eighth inning, the Dodgers had a secure lead of 8-2 and had to turn to their bullpen. Yamamato withdrew from the game with 6 2\/3 IP, 4H, 0 ER, 2 BB, and 9 K. Emmet Sheehan<\/a> took the mound, and Lux doubled off him. Sheehan walked Hays, and Stewart drove Lux in with a single.<\/p>\n Sheehan lost his composure and threw a wild pitch, then loaded the bases. After a sac-fly from Tyler Stephenson<\/a> made the game 8-4, Alex Vesia<\/a> came in to replace Sheehan. Vesia was able to get a strikeout and then get the Dodgers out of another dangerous bases-loaded situation.<\/p>\n Roki Sasaki came in to close out the game in the ninth and retired the side, striking out the first two batters and shutting the door on the Reds.<\/p>\n The Reds capitalized early on the Dodgers’ mistake and struck first in an elimination game. They saw an opening and took most of it, knowing that Yamamoto would not provide them with many chances to get on the board.<\/p>\nDodgers-Reds Game Summary<\/h2>\n
Late Innings<\/h3>\n
What Went Right for the Reds<\/h2>\n
Took Advantage of Defensive Misplays<\/h3>\n
Chase Burns Holds Dodgers at Bay<\/h3>\n