The Los Angeles Dodgers delivered a decisive blow to the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday night, completing a two-game sweep in the National League Wild Card Series with a commanding victory at Dodger Stadium. Final score: Dodgers 8, Reds 3. It was a frustrating end for Terry Francona in his first postseason with the Reds, as his squad couldn't muster the offense needed to extend their surprising run.
Indeed, Yoshinobu Yamamoto set the tone early for Los Angeles, tossing 6 2/3 innings of shutout ball and allowing just two hits. The Dodgers' bats, meanwhile, came alive with relentless pressure—four home runs sealed the deal, including a two-run shot from Teoscar Hernández that put the game out of reach in the fifth. Cincinnati's pitchers, led by starter Hunter Greene, struggled mightily, surrendering eight runs on 11 hits. Greene lasted only four innings, charged with five earned runs in what felt like a missed opportunity for the young ace.
For the Reds, the loss stung especially hard after a gritty September push that earned them the wild card spot. Elly De La Cruz, the electrifying shortstop who's become a fan favorite under Francona, went 1-for-4 with a single but couldn't spark the rally his speed usually ignites. Francona pulled no punches postgame, noting the team's resilience but admitting the sweep exposed some glaring inconsistencies. "We fought like hell, but tonight they were just better," he said, his voice carrying that familiar mix of grit and disappointment.
However, the Dodgers advance to face the Philadelphia Phillies in the Division Series, their offense humming at full throttle. Cincinnati heads home earlier than hoped, with Francona's steady hand now tasked with rebuilding momentum. Yesterday's defeat—wait, last night's, really—marks the end of a season defined by promise and peril.
Moreover, as the dust settles in LA, one can't help but wonder if this early exit will prompt deeper changes in Cincinnati's approach moving forward.