PRESSURE SQUASHERS

In crucial turnabout, teammates save Ohtani

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PHOTOGRAPHS BY ROBERT GAUTHIER Los Angeles Times SHOHEI OHTANI reacts to striking out Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber, one of nine punchouts by the right-hander in his MLB postseason pitching debut Saturday.

On the mound, he selfdestructed in a second inning that nearly placed the game out of his team's reach.

In the batter's box, he struck out four times for only the seventh time in his career.

A two-way player for the first time in a postseason game, Shohei Ohtani didn't save the Dodgers on Saturday night.

Instead, Ohtani was the one being saved in a 5-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 1 of their National League Division Series.

He was saved by Tyler Glasnow, Alex Vesia and Roki Sasaki, who combined to shut down the lethal Phillies lineup over the last three innings.

He was saved by a two-run double by Kiké Hernández in the sixth inning that reduced their deficit to 3-2.

He was saved by a three-run blast by Teoscar Hernández in the seventh that moved them in front, 5-3.

Ohtani said in Japanese of Hernández's go-ahead homer: "It was a wonderful moment. I think it was the kind of moment that made you think, 'This is the postseason."" The victory cleared a path for the Dodgers to defend a World Series title that once felt indefensible. By stealing the road win necessary to advance, the Dodgers have taken control of this best-offive series against the Phillies, who could be the greatest obstacle in their World Series defense.