Dodgers Advance to World Series for 1st Time Since 1988, After Routing Cubs, 11-1, in Game 5 of NLCS
Enrique Hernandez hit three home runs, including a grand slam, as the Los Angeles Dodgers punched their ticket to the Fall Classic
By Michael Duarte ••
Check out the behind the scenes footage including interviews with Cody Bellinger and Yasiel Puig as the Los Angeles Dodgers Advance to their first World Series since 1988.
The iconic words of Vin Scully were first spoken 29 years ago, the last time the Los Angeles Dodgers were in the World Series: "In a year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened."
After nearly three decades, the wait is finally over — the Dodgers are going back to the World Series.
Enrique Hernandez hit three home runs, including a grand slam, as the Dodgers punched their ticket to the Fall Classic, defeating the Chicago Cubs, 11-1, in Game 5 of the NLCS on Thursday night at Wrigley Field.
In 1988, the last time the Dodgers went to the World Series, Clayton Kershaw was just seven months old. Twenty-nine years later, he was on the mound when they won the pennant.
"We've heard 1988 for so long in L.A., it feels good to say that we're getting to go to the World Series in 2017," Kershaw said after the victory. "With four more wins, hopefully we get to bring one home."
David J. Phillip/AP
Washington Nationals' Yan Gomes and Daniel Hudson celebrate after Game 7 of the baseball World Series against the Houston Astros Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019, in Houston. The Nationals won 6-2 to win the series.
Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
Manager Dave Martinez #4 of the Washington Nationals hoists the Commissioners Trophy after defeating the Houston Astros 6-2 in Game Seven to win the 2019 World Series in Game Seven of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park on Oct. 30, 2019 in Houston, Texas.
Lee Jin-man/AP
Tiger Woods hits a shot out of a bunker on the 18th hole during the final round of the Zozo Championship PGA Tour at the Accordia Golf Narashino country club in Inzai, Japan, Monday, Oct. 28, 2019. Woods won his 82nd career PGA Tour title, matching a 54-year-old record held by Sam Snead.
Serhat Cagdas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Allyson Felix competes in 4x400 metres mixed relay race final during the 17th World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar on Sept. 29, 2019.
Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images
DOHA, QATAR - SEPTEMBER 29: Allyson Felix of the United States reacts after setting a new world record in the 4x400 Metres Mixed Relay during day three of 17th IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019 at Khalifa International Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Michael Steele/Getty Images
Wilbert London, Michael Cherry, Courtney Okolo and Allyson Felix of the United States pose after setting a new world record in the 4x400 Metres Mixed Relay during day three of 17th IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019 at Khalifa International Stadium on Sept. 29, 2019, in Doha, Qatar.
DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images
Rafael Nadal of Spain kisses the trophy after his win over Daniil Medvedev of Russia during the men's Singles Finals match at the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on Sept. 8, 2019.
Emilee Chinn/Getty Images
Bianca Andreescu of Canada celebrates with the championship trophy alongside runner up Serena Williams of the United States during the trophy presentation ceremony after the Women's Singles final on day thirteen of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Sept. 7, 2019, in the Queens borough of New York City.
Adam Hunger/AP
Serena Williams returns a shot to Elina Svitolina, of Ukraine, during the semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Sept. 5, 2019, in New York. Williams beat out Svitolina to advance to the finals - her fourth out of six past tournaments.
Adam Hunger/AP
Coco Gauff wipes away tears while talking to Naomi Osaka, of Japan, after Osaka defeated Gauff during the third round of the U.S. Open tennis tournament Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019, in New York.
Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images
Coco Gauff of the United States in action against Timea Babos of Hungary in the Women's Singles Round Two match on Louis Armstrong Stadium at the 2019 US Open Tennis Tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 29th, 2019 in Flushing, Queens, New York City.
Getty Images
Serena Williams hits a backhand against Maria Sharapova of Russia in the first round of the U.S. Open in Arthur Ashe Stadium, Aug. 26, 2019 in New York City. Williams played a 6-1, 6-1 game against Sharapova for their first match at the Open.
Getty Images
Serena Williams shakes hands with Maria Sharapova of Russia after beating her in the first round of the U.S. Open in Arthur Ashe Stadium, Aug. 26, 2019 in New York City. Williams played a 6-1, 6-1 game against Sharapova for their first match at the Open.
Getty Images
Roger Federer celebrates his victory over Sumit Nagal of India in the first round of the U.S. Open in Arthur Ashe Stadium, Aug. 26, 2019 in New York City.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
President Donald Trump presents the Medal of Freedom to retired Boston Celtic Bob Cousy in the Oval Office at the White House on Aug. 22, 2019 in Washington, DC. Mr. Cousy is credited helping the Boston Celtics win six National championships.
Simone Biles competes on the balance beam during the 2019 U.S. Gymnastics Championships Aug. 9, 2019, in Kansas City, Missouri. The Olympic gold medalist snagged her sixth U.S. women's gymnastics title, cinching top points on the floor, vault and balance beam for a weekend total of 118.500 points before capping it off with a historic triple-double flip.
AP/Wilfredo Lee
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Jermaine Grace (53) runs after intercepting a pass thrown by Miami Dolphins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Clive Rose/Getty Images
Caeleb Dressel of the United States celebrates as he sets a new world record of 49.50 seconds after competing in the Men's 100m Butterfly Semifinal on day six of the Gwangju 2019 FINA World Championships at Nambu International Aquatics Centre on July 26, 2019 in Gwangju, South Korea.
Simone Biles performs her balance beam routine during the GK US Classic gymnastics meet in Louisville, Kentucky, Saturday, July 20, 2019.
Richard Heathcote/R&A via Getty
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the sixth tee during the first round of the 148th Open Championship held on the Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 18, 2019 in Portrush, United Kingdom.
Ray Tang/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Novak Djokovic of Serbia wins the men's singles final match against Roger Federer of Switzerland (not seen) at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships 2019 held on Day 13 held at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 14, 2019 in London.
Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images
Simona Halep of Romania with the trophy after her victory against Serena Williams of the United States during the Ladies Singles Final on Centre Court during the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club at Wimbledon on July 13, 2019 in London.
Carli Lloyd, center, and members of the U.S. women's national soccer team accept the award for best team at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
Getty Images
Host Tracy Morgan speaks onstage during The 2019 ESPYs at Microsoft Theater on July 10, 2019, in Los Angeles, California.
Getty Images
(L-R) Odell Beckham Jr. and Gabrielle Union speak onstage during The 2019 ESPYs at Microsoft Theater on July 10, 2019, in Los Angeles, California.
Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images
General view of Progressive Field during the pregame ceremony prior to 90th MLB All-Star Game at Progressive Field on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images
J.D. Martinez #28 of the Boston Red Sox runs during the second inning of the 2019 Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Progressive Field on July 9, 2019, in Cleveland, Ohio.
AP
United States' Megan Rapinoe, center, holds the trophy as she celebrates with teammates after they defeated the Netherlands 2-0 in the Women's World Cup final soccer match at the Stade de Lyon in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Sunday, July 7, 2019.
Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
Amanda Nunes of Brazil knocks out Holly Holm of the United States during their UFC Womenu2019s Bantamweight Title bout at T-Mobile Arena on July 06, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Matthias Hangst/Getty Images
Andy Murray of Great Britain and Serena Williams of The United States celebrate during their Mixed Doubles first round match against Andreas Mies of Germany and Alexa Guarachi of Chile during day six of The Championships - Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 6, 2019, in London.
Kershaw (2-0), threw six innings, allowing just one run on three hits with one walk and five strikeouts in the third potential-clinching start in his postseason career.
Local
Get Los Angeles's latest local news on crime, entertainment, weather, schools, COVID, cost of living and more. Here's your go-to source for today's LA news.
In those games, the three-time NL Cy Young Award winner is a perfect 3-0 when he takes the mound with a chance to advance his team to the next round.
"To get to be on the mound tonight and get to be going to the World Series on the same night, it's a special thing," Kershaw said. "Who knows how many times I'm going to get to go to the World Series. I know more than anybody how hard it is to get there. So, I'm definitely not taking this one for granted."
Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 13: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates after winning game five of the National League Division Series over the Washington Nationals 4-3 at Nationals Park on October 13, 2016 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Getty Images
Getty Images
Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images
Since 2013, Kershaw had only gotten one run of support in four total starts in the NLCS over the course of his career. In his only two starts in 2017, he got 16 runs of support.
"That's a testament to this team and what we stand for," Kershaw said of the support from the offense. "As a starting pitcher, when you get seven runs, your job is to get them back in the dugout as fast as possible."
In order to end the drought, the Dodgers needed to go through the Cubs, the reigning World Series Champions, a team that slayed their own demons only one year prior. Los Angeles wasted little time dispatching the champs.
After a nine-pitch lead-off walk to Chris Taylor to start the game, Cody Bellinger roped a double down the right field line, giving the Dodgers a 1-0 lead.
"What [Taylor] has done for our lineup all year long, settling into the lead-off spot, getting on base, hitting balls over the fence. He's a dynamic player and table-setter," said teammate Justin Turner, who was named Co-MVP of the NLCS along with Taylor. "When he goes, we usually go as a team. I think you guys saw that here in the postseason."
Getty Images
ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 01: Kenley Jansen #74 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches in the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park on August 1, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Brandon Morrow is the set-up man. His job is typically to shut down the opponents in the eighth inning to get to the closer. He’s been called on to extend that role lately and has been lights out in the postseason
Getty Images
Then there’s the closer: Kenley Jansen. He’s one of the most feared stoppers in baseball. If he’s in the game, Jansen is there to shut the door, to finish off the opponent or keep them at bay during a critical juncture. He led the National League with 41 saves this season and has a cut fastball that’s as close to unhittable as anything in the game.
Getty Images
Kenta Maeda has stepped into an unexpected bullpen role with great success in these playoffs. He’s been a starting pitcher throughout his career but has been inserted into high-pressure situations with great results.
Getty Images
Tony Cingrani has provided exceptional middle relief since coming to the Dodgers from Cincinnati at the end of July.
One inning later, Hernandez started off the second inning swinging, as he jumped all over a first-pitch fastball from Cubs' starter Jose Quintana, hitting it to straightaway center for a solo home run.
Hernandez wasn't finished. After an RBI single from Turner gave the Dodgers a 3-0 lead, Quintana loaded the bases before leaving the game for Hector Rondon.
Once again, the Puerto Rican was swinging on the first pitch, and this time, Hernandez sent a slider into the basket in right-center for a grand slam home run.
"I blacked out," Hernandez said of the fourth grand slam ever hit in Dodgers' postseason history. "I can't even describe it you know. I was thinking the entire game, 'Man, this is unbelievable.'"
Hernandez not only sent the Dodgers to the World Series with his bat, he also became the first Dodger since Adrian Gonzalez in 2013 to hit multiple homers in a postseason game.
"I don't remember much of the game," Hernandez admitted. "The whole game is a blur. I remember the first two, but I definitely don't remember the last one. It's awesome!"
Getty Images/John B. Turner
Courtesy of John B. Turner
Courtesy of John B. Turner
Courtesy of John B. Turner
Courtesy of John B. Turner
Courtesy of John B. Turner
Courtesy of John B. Turner
Courtesy of John B. Turner
Courtesy of John B. Turner
Courtesy of John B. Turner
Courtesy of John B. Turner
Courtesy of John B. Turner
Courtesy of John B. Turner
Courtesy of John B. Turner
Courtesy of John B. Turner
Courtesy of John B. Turner
Courtesy of John B. Turner
Courtesy of John B. Turner
Courtesy of John B. Turner
Courtesy of John B. Turner
Courtesy of John B. Turner
Courtesy of John B. Turner
Courtesy of John B. Turner
Courtesy of John B. Turner
Courtesy of John B. Turner
Courtesy of John B. Turner
Courtesy of John B. Turner
Courtesy of John B. Turner
Courtesy of John B. Turner
Courtesy of John B. Turner
Courtesy of John B. Turner
Courtesy of John B. Turner
Courtesy of John B. Turner
Courtesy of John B. Turner
Getty Images/Nina Wells
More Celebrity Real Estate: Offseason Move — Dodgers Slugger Adrian Gonzalez Snags Lavish $6.3M Estate
Getty Images/Ikem Chukumerije
More Celebrity Real Estate: Chris Paul's Bel Air Mansion Sells for $8.7M
Antis Real Estate Photography/Getty Images
More Celebrity Real Estate: Ex-Dodger Matt Kemp Selling Sprawling San Diego Mansion
As Wrigley Field fell silent as the shrouded dead, one voice could be heard — that of Hernandez's father, Enrique Hernandez Sr., one year removed from a life-threatening battle with cancer, fresh off an evacuation from his homeland because of Hurricane Maria. Despite it all, he stood and cheered.
He just watched his son have the game of his life, in the biggest moment of his career.
"Honestly, I couldn't wait for this game to end so I could give my dad a big old hug," Hernandez said as he fought back tears. "Everything that he's been through the last year or so, and everything he went through for me to be here on this stage right now means the world to me."
Quintana (0-1) lasted only two innings, surrendering six runs on six hits with one walk and one strikeout in his fourth start of the postseason with the Cubs.
"Quintana was a great addition," said Cubs manager Joe Maddon after the game. "[The Dodgers] know what it feels like coming off last year, we were celebrating versus them in this exact same spot."
John Lackey entered the game in the fourth inning for the Cubs and served up a two-run double to Logan Forsythe that gave Los Angeles a 9-0 lead.
The two innings of relief may have been the last ever seen of Lackey as the 38-year-old's contract is up at the end of the season. He could be leaning toward retirement at the end of the year.
"John and I go way back," Maddon said. "John and I were together with the Angels in the 2002 World Series team. So it's really special for me with John. Hopefully it's not his last year, but if it is, having that chance to be with him in that moment is pretty special for me."
Kris Bryant hit his first home run of the postseason in the bottom of the fourth, a laser beam off Kershaw over the scoreboard in left field, for the Cubs' only run of the game.
The Cubs became the first team in Major League history to score all of their runs as home runs in a series that went at least five games.
"Every year is different," Maddon said on why his offense wasn't able to replicate the same success as last year. "We have all these incredible numbers from last year, but every year is different."
Just for good measure, Hernandez hit his third home run of the game off Mike Montgomery in the top of ninth, to put the exclamation point on his historical night.
"I may have had a great game, but this is not about me, this is about this team," Hernandez said, as his teammates celebrated around him in the winning locker room. "Tonight it was me, but every night its someone different coming up big for us. Luckily enough, tonight it was me."
Hernandez is just the ninth player in MLB history to have three homers in a postseason game, joining like the likes of Babe Ruth, Reggie Jackson, and Albert Pujols.
Anotha one! Kiké Hernandez goes deep for the third time putting the Dodgers up 11-1 in the ninth. pic.twitter.com/IzuCAHVQLZ
Hernandez finished the game three-for-four with three home runs and a league championship record seven RBIs.
To put that in perspective, the Cubs scored eight runs in the entire series.
"I blacked out and four hours later I had three homers and seven RBI," Hernandez said. "There's a very big God up there that blessed me tonight, and grandpa, I appreciate it because I know you had something to do with it."
Earlier in the season, Hernandez lost his grandfather and left the team to fly to Puerto Rico to be with his family.
"Kiké told me before the game, 'Hey, I've got your back tonight,'" Kershaw said. "He said that before I even went out and took the mound. Then he goes and hits three home runs."
Kenta Maeda, Brandon Morrow and Kenley Jansen pitched the final three innings of the game as the Dodgers bullpen set an NLCS record with 17 scoreless innings of relief.
"We wanted the defending champs," Jansen said after the game. "We know how much it sucks to lose here and see the fans enjoy it in front of us. We wanted to make a statement. We wanted to come here and we wanted to win in front of them. It's not over yet. Hopefully, we can bring the championship back home."
The Dodgers' pen has a scoreless innings streak of 23, a new MLB postseason record, surpassing the 1977 New York Yankees.
However, the rest of the game was a mere formality as both teams went through the motions before the Dodgers popped champagne — aged 29 years — in the visiting clubhouse.
The victory earned the Dodgers their 22nd National League pennant, the second most in league history behind only their rivals, the Giants, who have 23.
Nearly one year ago, the Cubs clinched their first World Series berth since 1945 against these same Dodgers. That night, as the mob of adoring fans celebrated in Wrigleyville, the Dodgers team buses were unable to leave, so the players had to wait over two hours in the visiting locker room.
During that time, the Dodgers sat and stewed, thinking about this exact moment that could occur one year later, and how great it would be to beat the Cubs on their own field to advance to the World Series.
Revenge is, indeed, sweet.
Up Next: The Dodgers advance to the World Series, awaiting either the Houston Astros or New York Yankees for Game 1 at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 24.
