Ohtani, Will Smith spark Dodgers’ 7th-inning Game 2 rally

On the 15th anniversary of Roy Halladay’s legendary NLDS no-hitter, fans came in hoping for another pitching showcase. For six innings, that’s exactly what they got.

The Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers battled through a razor-tight contest. Strong arms ruled, and offense felt almost nonexistent.

But in the seventh inning, everything flipped. The Dodgers broke the game open with a sudden burst of clutch hits.

What started as a pitcher’s duel quickly turned into an explosive inning that changed the entire vibe.

Historic Date, Historic Tension

October baseball always ratchets up the drama. The anniversary of Halladay’s postseason masterpiece only made expectations heavier.

Through six innings, the teams managed just three combined hits. Both sides showed off their pitching focus.

Philadelphia’s Jesús Luzardo and the Dodgers’ starter controlled the strike zone, keeping hitters guessing. The defensive tone was set early and stuck around for quite a while.

The Turning Point: Dodgers’ Seventh Inning Surge

Patience finally worked for Los Angeles in the seventh. Teoscar Hernández led off with a single, finally breaking a long stretch without a baserunner.

The crowd woke up as Freddie Freeman followed with a sharp double. Suddenly, runners stood at second and third, and the Phillies yanked Luzardo from the game.

Reliever Orion Kerkering stepped in, facing instant pressure. He struck out Tommy Edman, then got a weak grounder from Kiké Hernández — but Trea Turner’s throw home went wild, letting the first run score.

That mistake cracked things open.

Key Hits and Game-Changing Moments

The Dodgers pounced:

• Max Muncy drew a walk, loading the bases with even more tension.
• Andy Pages popped out, but pinch-hitter Will Smith came up big with a two-run single to left. Suddenly, it was 3-0.
• Smith’s hit forced Kerkering off the mound. That moment really showed how October rewards depth and timely hitting.
• Shohei Ohtani, still looking for his first hit of the series, finally ripped an RBI single off Matt Strahm to make it 4-0.

Relievers Under the Spotlight

The Dodgers’ bullpen had plenty of doubters coming into the postseason. But nights like this quiet the noise.

After three scoreless innings in Game 1, the relief corps got another test. They had to protect a multi-run lead against a dangerous Phillies lineup.

Their execution was sharp. Breaking balls and well-placed fastballs kept Philadelphia off balance most of the night.

Phillies’ Late Push Falls Short

Philadelphia showed a spark in the eighth. Trea Turner redeemed himself with an RBI single, cutting the deficit to 4-1.

For a moment, Phillies fans felt a surge of hope. But the Dodgers stayed calm, shut down any further threats, and finished the job with confidence.

Postseason Implications

This game wasn’t just about a single win. For Los Angeles, that seventh inning proved their offensive depth — stars like Freeman and Ohtani delivered, but so did Smith and Kiké Hernández.

The bullpen’s strong showing has to reassure the manager a bit. October runs often hinge on those arms.

The Phillies now have to regroup after missing a chance to capitalize on early pitching dominance. Even small errors, like Turner’s throw, can flip a playoff game in a heartbeat.

Final Thoughts

On a day packed with Phillies postseason nostalgia, the Dodgers wrote a fresh chapter of their own. Their explosive seventh inning flipped a tense pitchers’ duel into a clear victory.

That inning showed how perseverance and timely hitting really matter in playoff baseball. If Los Angeles keeps playing like this, who knows how far they’ll go?

Fans won’t forget this game—not just for the anniversary, but for the way it reminded everyone that one inning can turn everything upside down. October baseball, right? Anything can happen.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Dodgers’ Will Smith, Shohei Ohtani bust Game 2 open with huge 7th inning vs. Phillies