Ohtani Magic Powers Dodgers Over Padres

LOS ANGELES — Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani hit his first career postseason home run to help the Los Angeles Dodgers win 7-5 against the San Diego Padres in a thrilling Major League Baseball playoff matchup on Saturday. Ohtani smashed a three-run homer 372 feet into the right field stands off Padres starting pitcher Dylan Cease in the second inning to tie the game at 3-3 for the Dodgers. With the score at 3-4, Ohtani helped the Dodgers return in the fourth inning. Ohtani’s single loaded the bases and allowed Tommy Edman to score a touchdown to cut the score to 5-4, but Teoscar Hernandez singled to right field to score two runs and make it 6-5. Dodgers catcher Will Smith scored one run in the fifth inning to make it 7-5. “The stadium was electric and I enjoyed the game today,” said Ohtani, widely considered the best player in baseball. The ninth inning ended on a nerve-wracking note with the Padres putting two runners on base. But closer Blake Treinen struck out Manny Machado to seal the win and give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five National League Division Series. Dodgers slugger Hernandez paid tribute to the inspirational Ohtani after the win. “Shohei is Shohei. I don’t think anybody is playing like him right now,” Hernandez said. “We’re delighted to have him on our team.”