2021 NLDS Game 5 Highlights : LA Dodgers 2 – 1 SF Giants

2020 World Series Champions Los Angeles Dodgers clinch their spot for 2021 NLCS after defeating San Francisco Giants 3-2 in five game series. Dodgers wins Game 5 at Oracle park 2-1 and earned a chance for a rematch in the NL Championship Series against the Braves that begins on Saturday at Truist Park. 

Through eight innings, the Dodgers and Giants had the same amount of runs, hits and men left on base. It was a fitting description of a series that will be remembered as one of the best in recent memory. Both teams came into Thursday’s game with 109 wins this season. The team to 110 would move on. Thanks to Bellinger’s big hit and Max Scherzer’s first career save, the Dodgers’ pursuit of back-to-back World Series titles is still alive.

Cody Bellinger raised his right hand and pointed it directly at the visiting dugout. He knew he had squared up a Camilo Doval slider well enough to send it into the outfield.

Once he stepped on first base, Bellinger pounded his chest multiple times and yelled loud enough to be heard through the shocked groans of a packed Oracle Park.

By all accounts, Bellinger had a bad regular season at the plate. His .165 batting average was one of the worst by a qualified hitter in the Majors. His struggles, just two years removed from a National League MVP Award, were one of the most shocking developments of the 2021 season. 

But with one swing of the bat, Bellinger erased all of those struggles and delivered the biggest hit of the Dodgers’ season, a two-strike RBI single in the ninth inning off Doval, to help Los Angeles beat San Francisco, 2-1, in a thrilling Game 5 of the NL Division Series on Thursday night.

Max Scherzer’s first career Save comes at the right time

The Dodgers turned to Max Scherzer for the most important inning of their season on Thursday night. Scherzer slammed the door on the Giants.

As if the acquisition of Scherzer at the Trade Deadline hadn’t already paid enough dividends. Scherzer faced four batters and allowed one to reach — on Justin Turner’s one-out error. He responded by striking out LaMonte Wade Jr., then Wilmer Flores to seal Game 5 of the NL Division Series.

The Dodgers opted for a unique pitching strategy for Game 5 against the Giants. Corey Knebel served as opener, Brusdar Graterol pitched the second inning, then Julio Urías, originally slated to be the starter, pitched four frames in relief.

That left an inning apiece for Blake Treinen, Kenley Jansen and Scherzer, who, at 37 years and 79 days old, became the oldest pitcher to record a save in a winner-take-all game since saves became official in 1969.

It was the 14th career relief appearance for Scherzer and his first save.

2021 NLDS Game 5 Highlights : Los Angeles Dodgers vs San Francisco Dodgers