In a moment that fans will talk about for generations, Shohei Ohtani pulled off what might be the wildest single-game performance in baseball history. In Game 4 of the 2025 NLCS, Ohtani powered the Los Angeles Dodgers to a dominant 5–1 win over the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Dodgers completed a sweep and punched their ticket to a second straight World Series. Ohtani didn’t just shine on one side of the game—he took over from the mound and the batter’s box, making history in ways that honestly don’t even seem real.
A Two-Way Masterclass on the Biggest Stage
Pitching gems are rare enough, but pairing that with a record-breaking night at the plate? Almost impossible. Ohtani threw six shutout innings, struck out 10, allowed just two hits, and walked three.
He faced Milwaukee’s stacked lineup and went right at them with his splitter and a blazing fastball. Hitters looked off balance all night, and you could feel the tension every time he delivered a pitch.
Three Home Runs, Three Different Pitchers
And then there’s what he did with the bat. Ohtani smashed three home runs—each off a different Brewers pitcher.
One of those blasts wasn’t just a home run; it left Dodger Stadium entirely. Fans and analysts just stared, not quite sure what they’d seen. It was more than just raw power—it was timing, guts, and an uncanny sense of the moment, especially against postseason pitching.
Historic First and Unmatched Brilliance
No one in Major League Baseball history had ever struck out 10 batters and hit three homers in the same game. People started bringing up Don Larsen’s perfect game and Reggie Jackson’s three-homer night, but even those legends didn’t do it on both sides of the ball.
Ohtani’s performance feels like a new standard. It’s the kind of thing that makes you wonder if we’ll ever see it again.
Manager and Teammates in Awe
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts called it “the greatest night in baseball history,” and honestly, who’s going to argue? Guys like Max Muncy and Will Smith said afterward that Ohtani never stops amazing them, whether he’s pitching or hitting.
His mix of athleticism, focus, and sheer skill leaves even the veterans shaking their heads sometimes.
From Slump to Superhuman
Funny enough, Ohtani actually came into Game 4 in a bit of a slump. He’d struggled at the plate earlier in the postseason, but after some extra batting practice and a few tweaks to his mechanics, everything clicked.
He adjusted his stance and hands, found his rhythm, and then just went off—turning a rough stretch into one of the most unforgettable nights October baseball has ever seen.
Dodgers’ Dominance in the NLCS
Ohtani’s heroics capped off a dominant NLCS for the Dodgers. Their whole pitching staff, with Ohtani leading the way, shut down Milwaukee’s offense—no easy feat, considering the Brewers had the best regular-season record in the National League.
The sweep sent Los Angeles back to the World Series, riding a wave of momentum and confidence that’s honestly hard to beat.
Legacy and the Road Ahead
With the victory, Ohtani just keeps making his case as maybe the most complete player baseball’s ever seen. His blend of elite pitching and jaw-dropping hitting? Nobody else in the modern game does both like this.
Fans, analysts, and historians can’t stop debating where this single game lands among the sport’s all-time performances. Some even argue it belongs right at the top.
- First player ever with 10+ strikeouts and three home runs in the same game
- Helped Dodgers sweep the NLCS against the league’s top regular-season team
- One home run completely left Dodger Stadium
- Pitched six shutout innings with 10 strikeouts
The Dodgers now eye the 2025 World Series. If Shohei Ohtani keeps playing like this, who knows—maybe we’ll see history repeat itself.
For baseball fans, this wasn’t just a great game. It’s proof that, even in a sport so rooted in tradition, there’s always room for new legends to emerge.
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Here is the source article for this story: Passan: Ohtani’s Game 4 reminds us of the improbability of his greatness
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