What happened: Didier Fuentes took the sixth and finished the seventh with 25 pitches across two innings on the FS1 national broadcast. He ended the seventh by striking out Shohei Ohtani on a 101.2 mph fastball.

Why it matters: Ohtani bats second after a Sept. 23 activation and is managing knee and bicep issues into October. A strikeout of the second hitter preserves leverage for the final two innings of a postseason game.

What to watch: Late bullpen usage decides Game 2, with closing assignments and bench options to watch over the eighth and ninth.