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Shohei Ohtani delivered one of the greatest performances in baseball history as the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Milwaukee Brewers to reach the World Series.
Japan’s Ohtani smashed three huge home runs and struck out 10 batters in the Brewers’ 5-1 comprehensive victory as the Dodgers swept the series 4-0.
The 31-year-old’s trifecta of home runs and 10 strikeouts in a single game is a Major League Baseball postseason record, highlighting a rare talent for excelling with bat and ball.
Ohtani also became the first pitcher since Jim Tobin of the Boston Braves in 1942 to hit three home runs in the same game.
“It was really fun today on both sides,” said Ohtani, who was awarded the Most Valuable Player award for his heroics.
“I’m taking this trophy and let’s win four more. We won it as a team and it really is a team effort. I hope everyone in L.A. and Japan and around the world can enjoy some really good sake (Japanese rice wine).”
Ohtani entered the game at Dodger Stadium riding an eight-game home run drought, but led off after striking out three batters in the first frame.
He then took the bat in a performance that included a crushing 446-foot home run and a monster 469-foot blast that bounced out of the ballpark.
It marked another historic performance for Ohtani, who last year became the first player to record 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in the same season.
“It was probably the best postseason performance ever,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
“There’s a reason he’s the greatest player on the planet. Whatever you don’t expect, expect him to do.
“It’s just a performance I’ve never seen. Nobody’s ever seen anything like it. I’m still in awe of Shohei.”
The Dodgers’ comfortable victory sets up a World Series matchup against the Toronto Blue Jays or Seattle Mariners, with the latter leading 3-2 in the best-of-seven series.
