"'You can win two games in a row' already as the bench leader? Following the WBC, LAD also made a miracle with Ohtani 'Speech Time'

Oct 12, 2024

LA Dodgers Shohei Ohtani. AP Yonhap News

"I don't think there's an end."

The Los Angeles Dodgers won 2-0 in Game 5 of the National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California on the 12th (Korea time).

I survived on the edge of the cliff. The Dodgers took the first game, but dropped the second and third games, leading to a 1-2 record until Game 3. The postseason schedule ends if one loss is lost in the best-of-five series. The Dodgers won Game 4 with an 8-0 victory and succeeded in leading to the end of the game.

In the final Game 5, starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched five scoreless innings, and the bullpen also kept the rest of the inning scoreless. In the meantime, Enrique Hernandez and Teoscar Hernandez's solo home runs in the bottom of the second inning made it 2-0 in the bottom of the seventh inning.

The Dodgers will be able to advance to the National League Championship Series by getting out of the desperate crisis.

ahead of this seasonOhtani, who signed a 10-year contract worth $700 million (about 946 billion won) with Juss, will also be on the stage of the Championship Series for the first time.

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Japan 'Nikkan Sports' shed light on Ohtani's speech in front of his team members on the 12th. Ohtani said after the third game, which was 1 win and 2 losses, `I don't think there is an end. He encouraged his team members to win two consecutive games.

After Game 4, which won a big 8-0 victory, "It was a victory in Game 4 that everyone caught well." I think I can do it in Game 5, and I can definitely win it."

He also did not forget words of encouragement to his Japanese colleague Yamamoto. As Yamamoto took the major league stage this year, the selection of the first game could be burdensome. Ohtani said "I gained trust from the fans, and I can have confidence."

Yamamoto started Game 1 and was shaken by five hits (one homer) and two walks and five runs in three innings. Yamamoto, who suffered from injuries and sluggishness throughout the season, can lose confidence. Ohtani encouraged "I'll be able to pitch a little better next time." After Game 5, he praised it as `pitching that overwhelms the opponent.'

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After Game 5, Yamamoto said "Otani also talked to him a lot after his previous appearance (Game 1). You said a lot of positive things today"Thank you."

'Nikan Sports' recalled last year's World Baseball Classic (WBC). Ahead of the final match against the United States, Ohtani asked "Let's not admire the United States", and Japan won the WBC title.

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In Game 5, Ohtani was hitless and silent. "The Dodgers' strength is that Otani can gather and win even if he has no hits," the media said. "There are eight wins left until winning the World Series." Ohtani's presence will be a milestone toward the top,' he said, shedding light on Ohtani's presence on and off the ground.

bellstop@sportschosun.com