The Dodgers and Giants went into Game 5 of the NLDS dead even, and it all came down to a tense ninth inning. Tied 1-1, Justin Turner took a 100 mph fastball off the arm and reached first. Then Gavin Lux lined a single to right to put runners on the corners. That brought up Cody Bellinger, who had struggled all year but came through with a clutch RBI single to right-center, giving the Dodgers a 2-1 lead. Pitching on short rest, Max Scherzer came in to close it out for his first career save.
Scherzer got two quick outs, though Justin Turner flubbed a play on a routine grounder, putting a runner on. With two outs, pinch-hitter LaMonte Wade Jr. nearly tied the game with a deep drive that curved just foul. Scherzer then struck him out with a nasty breaking ball. Next up was Wilmer Flores, and on an 0-2 count, the umpire rang him up on a check swing that clearly wasn’t a strike. Giants fans were stunned. It was a controversial and deflating way for their 107-win season to end.
After the final out, Scherzer lost it in celebration. He screamed, raged, and hugged teammates like a wild animal. Players laughed, stepped back, and watched him go off. He foamed at the mouth, yelled in people’s faces, and handed out crushing hugs. His energy was insane, but the moment was his. The Dodgers moved on, and Scherzer showed exactly why he’s one of the most intense competitors in the game.