The Dodgers began the NLDS knowing full well that they would have to steal one of these two games in Philadelphia to have a good chance at winning this series. Despite falling behind 3-0 early, the Dodgers and starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani rallied to score two in the sixth inning and three in the seventh to win game 1 5-3. Enrique Hernandez’s two-run double and Teoscar Hernandez’s massive three-run home run in the seventh were the knockout blow for the Phillies.
Let’s flashback to the top of the sixth. The Dodgers were down 3-0. Ohtani had pitched well, in his postseason pitching debut, but ran into trouble in the second inning. In that frame he gave up a two-run triple to J.T. Realmuto, and a Harrison Bader sacrifice fly. Overall Ohtani tossed six innings, allowing three earned runs on three hits, walking one while striking out nine. At one point he had retired ten in a row. At the plate he was 0 for 4 with four strikesout (a golden sombrero) and a walk.
Nevertheless, the Phillies and their fans were feeling really good going into the top of the sixth. And why wouldn’t they? After all, their starter, Christopher Sanchez had not given up anything up to that point. With electric closer Jhoan Duran looming, things looked pretty bleak for the Dodgers.
The one thing that those Philly fans did not anticipate is well….. the Dodgers. Let’s face it, no matter how weak the Dodgers bullpen is this year, this is still the Dodgers and the Dodgers are grizzled postseason veterans. I mean they are the defending World Series champions for god’s sake. They’ve come from behind before, they’ve done it, again and again and again over the last 6 years or more. This time they did it again. With Sanchez on the mound in the sixth, With two outs (two outs!) Freddie Freeman worked a walk and you could tell that Sanchez was losing his effectiveness. Tommy Edman singles to right and before the Phillies could even take a breath, Postseason Kike doubles down the line in left to score Freeman and Edman. It’s now 3-2.
October Kiké! pic.twitter.com/NslopR5cWS
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 5, 2025
Old man David Robertson (He’s still pitching!?) was called in to relieve Sanchez and he was able to retire Max Muncy to end the inning. However the Dodgers have pulled within one run. The crowd was getting nervous, and rightfully so. After Ohtani struck out two of the three in the bottom of the sixth, the Dodgers continued where they left off in the top of the seventh. Andy Pages singled to left and pinch-hitter Will Smith was hit by a pitch. Left hander Matt Strahm in for David Robertson. Ohtani was called out on strikes, and Mookie popped out to third. But then, up came Teoscar Hernandez, and this happened……
TEOSCAR HERNÁNDEZ. pic.twitter.com/m9yiRwPmrh
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 5, 2025
BOOM! Teo’s three-run blast puts the Dodgers ahead 5-3, silencing the crowd at Citizen’s Bank Park. Teo roared as he strutted back to the dugout. The rest of the boys in blue showered him with sunflower seeds.
Of course the game didn’t end without a little bit of drama. This is the Dodger’s bullpen after all. Tyler Glasnow pitched a scoreless seventh but then ran into some trouble in the bottom of the eighth. He struck out Bryson Stott to begin the inning, but walked former Dodger Trea Turner. Glasnow also struck out Kyle Schwarber for the second out. Bryce Harper singles and then he walks Alec Bohm. Out comes Dave Roberts to hook, and in comes Alex Vesia. Oh boy. Not to worry, he gets pinch-hitter Edmundo Sosa to fly out to deep center.
Roki Sasaki, the new Dodger postseason closer comes in for the bottom of the ninth. He whiffs Realmuto, but Max Kepler doubles to right. Sasaki then gets Nick Castellanos to ground out and Stott fouls out to end the game. Dodgers win the opener!
Victory formation! pic.twitter.com/DZxl2NHDaa
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 5, 2025
There’s a strange off-day for both clubs tomorrow before they resume for game 2 on Monday evening. The Dodgers will be giving the ball to Blake Snell, while Philadelphia counters with Jesus Luzardo. The game will be televised on TBS.
