Dodgers sweep Reds to advance to NLDS, Reds' season ends

The Los Angeles Dodgers completed a two-game sweep of the Cincinnati Reds in the best-of-three National League Wild Card Series at Dodger Stadium, eliminating Cincinnati on Wednesday after a 8-4 victory that followed a 10-5 win in Game 1 on Tuesday. The wins send the Dodgers to the National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies and end the Reds' season.

Los Angeles took control in Game 1 as Shohei Ohtani homered twice, including a leadoff shot in the first inning, and the Dodgers hit five home runs in a 10-5 victory. Hunter Greene started for Cincinnati and yielded the first-inning homer, which came off a well-located fastball. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised Ohtani's ability to elevate his performance in high-stakes moments, saying the player "signed to be with this ballclub, this organization, to play in games like this to showcase his otherworldly talent." Ohtani, speaking through a translator, said he was "happy I was able to help the team score early."

Game 2 featured a more contested exchange of runs but ultimately followed a similar arc. Sal Stewart’s two-run single in the first gave Cincinnati an early 2-0 lead, and the Reds maintained a one-run...