Shohei Ohtani showcased his power once again in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series, hitting a leadoff home run against Jose Quintana to give the Los Angeles Dodgers an early advantage over the New York Mets. This marked Ohtani's third postseason homer, a 422-foot blast into the Mets' bullpen in right-center field.
Notably, Ohtani had struggled when batting with nobody on base in the postseason, going 0 for 22, but he had been highly productive with runners aboard, boasting a 7 for 9 record with two homers and eight RBIs in such situations.
The impressive 117.8 mph exit velocity of Ohtani's home run made it the third-hardest-hit postseason homer since Statcast began tracking in 2015. Quintana, who had not allowed a home run in his previous eight starts, was unable to contain Ohtani's power in this crucial moment.
Following Ohtani's leadoff homer, Mets' slugger Mark Vientos responded by hitting a home run off Yoshinobu Yamamoto to tie the score at 1-1. This exchange of early long balls set the tone for an exciting matchup between the two powerhouse teams.
With this victory, the Dodgers secured a 3-1 series lead over the Mets, positioning themselves favorably as they continued their quest for the National League pennant. Ohtani's consistent performance and clutch hitting have been instrumental in the Dodgers' success throughout the postseason, solidifying his status as a key player in their lineup.
As the series progresses, both teams will look to make strategic adjustments and capitalize on opportunities to secure crucial wins. The intensity and drama of the NLCS promise to deliver thrilling moments for baseball fans as the competition heats up.
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