LOS ANGELES (Interstat) — Overcoming an early deficit with a relentless offensive attack, the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Cincinnati Reds 8-4 on Wednesday to take a commanding lead in their National League playoff series.

A sellout crowd of 50,465 at Dodger Stadium watched as the Dodgers, powered by a four-run sixth inning and a 13-hit barrage, seized a 1-0 advantage in the best-of-five series. Game 3 is scheduled for Thursday in Los Angeles.

The Reds, who finished the regular season 83-81, stunned the home crowd by striking first. Facing Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto, they capitalized on a costly error in the opening frame. After Spencer Steer was hit by a pitch and Gavin Lux reached on a fielder’s choice, Austin Hays reached base on a fielding error by right fielder Teoscar Hernández, allowing both runners to advance into scoring position. Rookie Sal Stewart then delivered a two-run single to right field, giving Cincinnati a 2-0 lead before many fans had found their seats.

Yamamoto, however, settled in after the rocky start. The right-hander, who earned the win to improve to 13-8, limited the damage and kept the Reds’ offense in check for the next several innings, allowing his team to mount a comeback.

Los Angeles, which ended the regular season with a 95-69 record, began chipping away in the third inning. Catcher Ben Rortvedt led off with a double and later scored on a line-drive single by Mookie Betts, cutting the deficit to 2-1.

The Dodgers took the lead an inning later against Reds starter and losing pitcher Zack Littell. Max Muncy singled and scored on an Enrique Hernández double to tie the game. Miguel Rojas followed with a single to score Hernández, giving Los Angeles a 3-2 advantage. Littell, who fell to 10-9, was charged with three runs on six hits over four innings of work.

The game’s pivotal moment arrived in the bottom of the sixth. The Dodgers sent 10 batters to the plate, erupting for four runs to break the game open. The inning was fueled by a combination of timely hitting and a critical Cincinnati error. Hernández singled and Rojas grounded out to move him to second. Rortvedt then reached base on a throwing error by first baseman Sal Stewart, putting runners on the corners.

Shohei Ohtani tied the game with an RBI single, and Betts gave the Dodgers the lead for good with a run-scoring double. After an intentional walk to Freddie Freeman, Teoscar Hernández cleared the bases with a two-run double to center field, stretching the lead to 7-2.

Los Angeles added an insurance run in the seventh on Betts’ third double of the game, which scored Miguel Rojas.

Cincinnati mounted a final threat in the eighth, scoring two runs to pull within 8-4. Lux singled and advanced to second on a fielding error by left fielder Enrique Hernández. After a walk to Hays, Stewart delivered his third RBI of the game with a single. A sacrifice fly by Tyler Stephenson brought home the second run of the inning, but the rally was extinguished when reliever Roki Sasaki entered and struck out Will Benson before getting Matt McLain to walk and TJ Friedl to strike out, stranding the bases loaded.

The Dodgers’ bullpen was instrumental in preserving the victory. After Yamamoto departed, Alex Vesia, Blake Treinen and Sasaki combined for three scoreless innings of relief, striking out four and allowing just one hit.

While the top of the Dodgers’ lineup, including Ohtani and Freeman, went a combined 1 for 8, the bottom of the order and the supporting cast provided the necessary production. Rortvedt went 2 for 3 with a double and two runs scored. Betts finished 3 for 5 with three doubles and two RBIs, and Hernández drove in two runs with his key double.

For the Reds, who managed only six hits, Stewart was the standout, going 2 for 5 and driving in three of the team’s four runs.

The victory reinforced the Dodgers’ dominance over the Reds this season and in recent playoff history. According to Interstat’s ELO system, Los Angeles had a 63.9 percent probability to win, and the final score of 12 combined runs went under the pregame over/under line of 7.5. The Dodgers have now won five of the seven meetings between the two teams in the 2025 season.

With their backs against the wall, the Reds will turn to their pitching staff on Thursday in a must-win Game 3 to avoid elimination and extend their season. The Dodgers, meanwhile, will look to close out the series at home and advance to the next round of the postseason.