- Shohei Ohtani hit a dramatic three-run homer in Game 4 of the NLCS, his first home run since August 18 and his first of the 2026 postseason.
- The Milwaukee Brewers overcame a 4-0 deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-4, securing a four-game sweep to advance to their first World Series since 1982.
- The loss eliminated the Dodgers and dashed their aspirations of achieving a historic three-peat following World Series titles in 2024 and 2025.
Ohtani Ignites Dodger Stadium Before Brewers Mount Game 4 Comeback
Facing elimination on Thursday, October 15, the Los Angeles Dodgers sought to extend the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers after dropping the opening three contests. With their campaign on the line at Dodger Stadium, designated hitter Shohei Ohtani was restored to the leadoff spot in the lineup. In the second inning, with Los Angeles holding a 1-0 lead and two outs with runners on first and second, Ohtani delivered an explosive hit off former Dodgers teammate Dustin May. The ball flew approximately 130 meters into the right-field seats, giving the Dodgers an early 4-0 advantage and sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
The blast prompted an unusually intense display of emotion from Ohtani. Following contact, he flipped his bat aside, raised both arms into the air, and shouted toward the dugout. The moment marked his first home run since August 18 and his first long ball of the 2026 postseason, serving as a powerful release following a stretch marked by physical setbacks involving his right arm and left knee. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts addressed his designated hitter’s uncharacteristic reaction after the game, explaining that the home run represented a pivotal emotional turning point.
It was a release of built-up anger and frustration.
Roberts said. Describing the swing as Ohtani’s best contact over the preceding two or three months, Roberts added: Showing that emotion demonstrates how much he wants to win and cares about the team. He’s human, after all.
Milwaukee Bullpen and Late Homers Complete the Sweep
Despite the four-run cushion established by Ohtani’s blast, Los Angeles could not hold off Milwaukee’s relentless lineup. The Brewers mounted a methodical comeback, pushing across two runs in the fourth inning and another two in the fifth to draw level at 4-4. In the sixth inning, Garrett Mitchell broke the tie by launching a solo home run to put Milwaukee in front. David Hamilton added an insurance solo shot in the ninth inning, pushing the score to 6-4.
Milwaukee’s bullpen clamped down over the final frames, shutting out the Dodgers’ offense across the late innings. Los Angeles struggled collectively in high-leverage situations, batting just .116 with runners in scoring position across the series. The 6-4 victory finalized a four-game sweep for the Brewers, avenging the previous year’s NLCS where the Dodgers swept Milwaukee on the way to their second straight championship. The sweep propels the Brewers into the Fall Classic for the first time since 1982.
Why This Matters
The elimination officially halted the Dodgers’ pursuit of becoming the first Major League Baseball franchise to capture three consecutive World Series titles since the New York Yankees completed their three-peat from 1998 to 2000. After securing back-to-back championships in 2024 and 2025, Los Angeles encountered persistent offensive droughts throughout October, leading manager Dave Roberts to shuffle the lineup—including sliding Ohtani down the order in Game 3 before returning him to the leadoff role for Game 4. While Roberts made clear that the defeat did not rest on any single individual, the focus for the franchise now shifts to offseason recovery and preparing for a title pursuit in 2027.
Addressing the abrupt end to the season, Ohtani stated: I’m disappointed we didn’t get the result we wanted, but I’ll use this as motivation to help the team have a better season next year.
Frequently Asked Questions
When had Shohei Ohtani last hit a home run prior to Game 4?
Ohtani’s second-inning, three-run shot against Dustin May was his first home run since August 18 and his first home run of the 2026 postseason.
When was the last time the Milwaukee Brewers reached the World Series?
By sweeping the Dodgers in four games, the Milwaukee Brewers earned their first trip to the World Series since 1982.
What historic milestone were the Los Angeles Dodgers attempting to achieve?
Having won the World Series in both 2024 and 2025, the Dodgers were attempting to win three consecutive championships, an achievement last accomplished in Major League Baseball by the New York Yankees from 1998 to 2000.
