USA NEWS – The Los Angeles Dodgers are heading to the National League Championship Series (NLCS) after a 2-0 victory over the San Diego Padres in Game 5 of the NL Division Series, powered by home runs from Kiké Hernández and Teoscar Hernández. However, Kiké Hernández made headlines not just for his game-winning performance, but for an expletive-filled post-game interview that set social media abuzz.

Historic Pitching Duel: Yamamoto vs. Darvish

In a rare and historic moment for Major League Baseball, two Japanese-born starting pitchers, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Yu Darvish, faced off in a playoff game for the first time ever. Yamamoto, the Dodgers’ 26-year-old rookie sensation, pitched five strong innings, allowing only two hits before turning the ball over to Los Angeles’ stellar bullpen.

Yamamoto’s performance, combined with the Dodgers’ deep bullpen, helped Los Angeles shut down the Padres’ lineup. Evan Phillips, Alex Vesia, Michael Kopech, and Blake Treinen combined to retire 19 consecutive San Diego batters. Treinen closed out the game, earning his second save of the series, sending the Dodgers to their 16th NLCS appearance.

Kiké’s Heroics and Explosive Interview

Kiké Hernández put the Dodgers on the board with a solo home run in the second inning, his 14th career postseason homer. Teoscar Hernández followed with a solo shot in the seventh inning, extending the lead to 2-0 and chasing Darvish from the game. Darvish, despite allowing just three hits and two runs in 6 2/3 innings, fell short, marking his fifth elimination-game loss in his career.

However, it was Kiké’s post-game interview that caused a stir. Asked about the team’s resilience, Hernández responded with a grin, asking, “Are we live?” before dropping the bombshell: “The fact that we don’t give a f**k.” His unscripted remark, caught live on air, instantly went viral, making waves on social media.

Padres’ Collapse and Silent Bats

The Padres, led by star players like Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, and Luis Arraez, saw their offense crumble when it mattered most. The Padres were shut out for the last 24 innings of the series, including going hitless in their final 19 at-bats in Game 5. Despite taking a 2-1 series lead back home, San Diego couldn’t capitalize and ended their postseason with back-to-back losses.

Manager Mike Shildt summed it up: “Stunning is the right word.”

Star-Studded Finale at Dodger Stadium

Game 5 was a tense, nail-biting affair played in front of a sold-out crowd of 53,183, including celebrities like LeBron James, Brad Pitt, and Jimmy Kimmel. As the teams had combined for 43 runs in the first five games of the series, the low-scoring finale showcased the power of pitching, setting a postseason record for consecutive batters retired in a single game at 26.

Dodgers Ready for Mets in NLCS

With this victory, the Dodgers are set to face the wild-card New York Mets in the NLCS, beginning Sunday night in Los Angeles. Shohei Ohtani, who had an outstanding regular season with 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases, will look to lead the Dodgers in their bid for another World Series title. Ohtani, who struggled in the series against the Padres after a stellar Game 1, will aim to bounce back in the NLCS.

The Padres, while disappointed, have plenty of talent and promise for next season as they look to build on this year’s playoff run.

UP NEXT: The Dodgers, with the best regular-season record at 98-64, are back in the NLCS for the first time since 2021. They’ll host the New York Mets for Game 1 of the best-of-seven series on Sunday, as both teams fight for a spot in the World Series. Whether Kiké Hernández faces any repercussions from the FCC for his interview remains to be seen, but the Dodgers will certainly be focused on their next challenge.