Prepare to relive one of the most unforgettable nights in baseball history—a night that had it all: jaw-dropping homers, mind-bending pitching, and a performance from Shohei Ohtani that defied logic. But here’s where it gets controversial: Was this Ohtani’s greatest night, or just another chapter in his already legendary career? Let’s dive into the timeline and decide for ourselves.
4:13 p.m. PT – A Double Play for the Ages
The night’s first game-changer wasn’t a homer, but a rare 2-3 double play in the ALCS Game 5. With the bases loaded and nobody out, Ernie Clement chopped a ball to Cal Raleigh, who tagged home and threw out Clement at first. And this is the part most people miss: It was the first 2-3 double play in a postseason game since 2000, executed by none other than current Mariners manager Dan Wilson. Talk about history repeating itself!
4:57 p.m. PT – Alejandro Kirk’s Unlikely Dash
Alejandro Kirk, one of the slowest players in the Majors, scored all the way from first on a base hit. Controversial question: Should Kirk have been given the green light, or was this a risky move that paid off? Either way, it was a moment that defied expectations and gave Toronto a 2-1 lead.
5:45 p.m. PT – Ohtani’s Dominant Start
Shohei Ohtani’s night began on the mound, where he struck out the side after walking the leadoff batter. His fastballs clocked in at 100 mph, leaving batters baffled. But here’s the real question: Is Ohtani the most complete player baseball has ever seen? His ability to dominate both on the mound and at the plate is unparalleled.
5:47 p.m. PT – Cal Raleigh Ties the Game
In Seattle, Cal Raleigh silenced the doubters with a game-tying homer in the eighth inning. Batting right-handed for the first time in the ALCS, he sent a towering fly ball over the left-field wall. Controversial take: Was this the swing that saved the Mariners’ season, or just a momentary reprieve in a series they couldn’t win?
5:50 p.m. PT – Ohtani’s Leadoff Blast
Ohtani wasted no time reminding everyone why he’s a legend, leading off the bottom of the first with a 446-foot homer. Fun fact: Exactly one year ago, he did the same thing against the same pitcher, Jose Quintana. Coincidence? We think not.
6:00 p.m. PT – Eugenio Suárez’s Grand Slam
Back in Seattle, Eugenio Suárez broke a 2-2 tie with a grand slam that literally shook T-Mobile Park. Controversial question: Was this the loudest moment of the night, or did Ohtani’s homers steal the show? Either way, it was a seismic moment—literally, as earthquake monitors picked up the vibrations.
6:56 p.m. PT – Ohtani’s Titanic Blast
Ohtani’s second homer of the night was a 469-foot moonshot that cleared Dodger Stadium entirely. Bold statement: This might be the most impressive home run of his career. What do you think?
7:19 p.m. PT – Ohtani’s 10th Strikeout
By the seventh inning, Ohtani had already made history as the first pitcher with a multi-homer postseason game. But he wasn’t done—his 10th strikeout tied him with Bob Gibson as the only pitchers to strike out 10 batters and hit a homer in the same playoff game. Controversial question: Is Ohtani the greatest two-way player of all time?
7:44 p.m. PT – Ohtani’s Third Homer
In a night of firsts, Ohtani became the first player since 2021 to hit three homers in a postseason game. His 427-foot shot off Trevor Megill cemented his place in history. Bold question: Was this the single greatest performance in baseball history?
8:20 p.m. PT – Roki Sasaki Seals the Deal
Roki Sasaki closed out the Dodgers’ pennant-clinching victory with just nine pitches. Controversial take: Is Sasaki the most underrated closer in the game right now? His ascent has been nothing short of remarkable.
As the night came to a close, one thing was clear: this was baseball at its absolute best. Now it’s your turn: Which moment from this timeline was the most jaw-dropping? And is Shohei Ohtani the greatest player we’ve ever seen? Let’s debate it in the comments!
