In an impressive performance, Darvish took the mound as the starting pitcher for Game 2, throwing 82 pitches to complete seven innings. He allowed only three hits and one earned run, showcasing his skill in handling a basis-loaded situation in the second inning, where he only surrendered a single run. The Padres defeated the Dodgers 10-2 on October 6, tying the series at one win each. Besides the strong support from his teammates, left fielder Jurickson Profar made an outstanding catch to rob a potential home run, which Darvish initially thought was going out.
Darvish faced Shohei Ohtani in three matchups, coming out on top each time, including a strikeout and two groundouts. Reflecting on pitching to Ohtani, he noted, “Ohtani is a very smart hitter, so I had to think carefully about my strategy and observe his reactions with every pitch.” After the game, Darvish mentioned his objective was to utilize a variety of pitches to attack the strike zone effectively and to prompt quick swings from the hitters.
Early in the game, Darvish was nearly in trouble when Mookie Betts sent a powerful hit toward left field. Profar, positioned against the wall, reached up for the ball just as fans crowded around, and as it vanished from view, he showed no celebration. Dodgers fans erupted in cheers, and Betts raised his hands in excitement, while the broadcast team prepared to announce a home run. It was only when Betts reached third base that he realized something was off, as Profar’s animated gestures indicated a different outcome. Replay footage confirmed that the ball had indeed landed in Profar’s glove.
“I also thought that was a home run,” Darvish admitted, recalling the moment when he believed the score had been equalized, only to be surprised that Profar had caught it.
Darvish expressed his joy at helping the team bounce back after losing the first game, stating, “I’m really happy I could contribute to the team’s win in Game 2 and bring this momentum back home.”
