Hernández’s Home Run Leads Dodgers Over Phillies in Game 1

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania — Teoscar Hernández propelled the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 5-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies during Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Saturday night.

With the game tied in the seventh inning, Hernández hit a three-run homer off Matt Strahm, silencing the home crowd of 45,777 at Citizens Bank Park. His dramatic drive to right field came after the Dodgers had rallied previously, cutting the Phillies’ lead to just one run.

<p“It was a great moment. It’s definitely a highlight for us and for the team,” said Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, who struck out four times but was relieved after Hernández’s heroics.

The game was marked by an early Phillies surge, with all three runs coming in the second inning, highlighted by J.T. Realmuto‘s two-run triple and a sacrifice fly from Harrison Bader. They took full advantage of an early lapse by Ohtani during his six innings on the mound, but he recovered well, striking out nine batters.

Ohtani admitted to feeling nerves facing the hostile crowd and noted the intensity of the atmosphere affected his performance at the plate. Despite his struggles, he contributed significantly as the pitcher, ensuring the Phillies could not score after the third inning.

“We’ve got to put it behind us. These guys are pretty good at that,” said Phillies manager Rob Thomson, after the defeat.

In the sixth, Kiké Hernández‘s clutch two-run double had already started the Dodgers’ comeback, making it a tight game before Teoscar’s pivotal home run.

As the Dodgers’ bullpen held strong, closing the game was Alex Vesia, who secured the win by retiring pinch-hitter Edmundo Sosa with the bases loaded in the eighth inning.

The Dodgers, riding high after sweeping the Cincinnati Reds, now lead the best-of-five series 1-0. Game 2 will take place on Monday in Philadelphia, with Jesús Luzardo starting for the Phillies and Blake Snell on the mound for Los Angeles.