Dodgers beat Giants in playoff thriller, advance to NLCS

Associated Press
Friday, Oct. 15, 2021 12:56 a.m. | Friday, Oct. 15, 2021 12:56 a.m.

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Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Max Scherzer, center facing, celebrates with teammates after the Dodgers defeated the San Francisco Giants in Game 5 of the National League Division Series.

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Los Angeles Dodgers’ Julio Urias pitches against the San Francisco Giants during the third inning of Game 5 of a baseball National League Division Series Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021, in San Francisco.

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San Francisco Giants’ Logan Webb pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the second inning of Game 5 of a baseball National League Division Series Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021, in San Francisco.

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Logan Webb smiles after throwing Los Angeles Dodgers’ Justin Turner out at first base during the fourth inning of Game 5 of a baseball National League Division Series Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021, in San Francisco.

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Logan Webb, middle, meets on the mound with shortstop Brandon Crawford (35) and catcher Buster Posey during the fourth inning of Game 5 of a baseball National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021, in San Francisco.

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Los Angeles Dodgers’ Mookie Betts takes a lead off second base during the fourth inning of Game 5 of a baseball National League Division Series against the San Francisco Giants Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021, in San Francisco.

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Los Angeles Dodgers’ Mookie Betts hits a single in front of San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey during the fourth inning of Game 5 of a baseball National League Division Series Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021, in San Francisco.

SAN FRANCISCO — Cody Bellinger hit a tiebreaking single in the ninth inning and prized midseason acquisition Max Scherzer came out of the bullpen for a save, sending the Los Angeles Dodgers past the San Francisco Giants 2-1 in a thrilling winner-take-all Game 5 on Thursday night and into the NL Championship Series.

Bellinger’s big hit came after a 3-for-14 showing this postseason and capped a scintillating NL Division Series it seemed nobody wanted to see end given the talent and win totals involved in the latest exciting chapter of this storied rivalry.

Mookie Betts had a postseason career-high four hits and will lead the next step in LA’s championship defense at Atlanta for Game 1 of the NLCS on Saturday.

How it ended. ???? pic.twitter.com/DRGYAEzDCd

— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) October 15, 2021

Camilo Doval plunked Justin Turner with one out in the ninth and Gavin Lux then singled before Bellinger delivered his most meaningful hit in a scrutinized season.

Scherzer, the Game 3 loser who came from Washington at the trade deadline, closed out a best-of-five series certain to go down among the several classics these franchises have played — right up there with the 1951 and ‘62 clubs that each matched up in three-game tiebreakers for the NL pennant that the Giants won each time.

CODY BELLINGER. pic.twitter.com/quEWBFR5hc

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 15, 2021