Shohei Ohtani went 2-for-4, drove in one run and scored two as the Los Angeles Dodgers pummeled the New York Mets 9-0 in the opening game of the National League Championship Series on Sunday.
The Japanese designated hitter’s strong outing included an RBI single to right field that extended the Dodgers’ lead to 3-0 and chased compatriot Kodai Senga (0-1) in the bottom of the second inning at Dodger Stadium.
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hits an RBI single in the second inning of Game 1 of the National League Championship Series against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Oct. 13, 2024. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
Right-hander Jack Flaherty (1-1) was lights out for the Dodgers, allowing just two hits and two walks over seven innings, while striking out six.
Ohtani, who this year became the only MLB player with 50 stolen bases and 50 home runs in a season, was caught stealing for the first time since July 22 when he was thrown out trying for second base later in the second, ending a streak of 36 successful attempts.
New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga pitches in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Oct. 13, 2024. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
Senga, making his second playoff start after missing virtually the entire regular season with shoulder and calf injuries, was charged with the loss after facing just 10 batters over 1-1/3 innings and giving up three runs on two hits and four walks.
He got Ohtani to ground out in the Dodgers’ first at-bat but quickly ran into trouble, walking the next three batters and eventually surrendering a two-out, two-RBI single to Max Muncy.
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (R) is caught stealing second base in the second inning of Game 1 of the National League Championship Series against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Oct. 13, 2024. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
“Jack did a wonderful job and so did our offense,” Ohtani said. “Muncy’s two-run single in the first inning with two outs was huge after we drew walks to load the bases.”
Ohtani helped push the lead out to 5-0 in the fourth with a powerful line-drive single that slammed into the wall behind right center and enabled Tommy Edman to score from first base after right fielder Starling Marte bobbled the ball.
“A fat pitch happened to come my way and it was a good at-bat,” Ohtani said. “The trajectory was a bit low and I was wondering if it would clear the right fielder, but thankfully it did, and Tommy ran well too.”
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hits a single in the fourth inning of Game 1 of the National League Championship Series against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Oct. 13, 2024. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
The Dodgers added three more runs in the eighth on a Mookie Betts double, with Ohtani rounding the bases after drawing a walk to reach for the third time.
“It was a home game again today and the fans’ cheer was amazing, which helped me make my trips to the plate with aggressive mindset,” Ohtani said.
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (R) is greeted by Enrique Hernandez after scoring on an RBI double by Mookie Betts in the eighth inning of Game 1 of the National League Championship Series against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Oct. 13, 2024. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
Despite a depleted pitching rotation, including Yoshinobu Yamamoto still coming back from a shoulder injury, the Dodger defense tied an MLB playoff record with 33 consecutive scoreless innings stretching back to their NL Division Series against the San Diego Padres. They will look to extend the streak in Game 2 against the Mets on Monday.
“We can’t always expect to score runs like we did today, but I believe we can still score if the offense does its job,” Ohtani said.
