Ohtani hits solo HR in return to Japan, leading Dodgers' powerful
offense to 6-3 win over the Cubs
[March 20, 2025]
By DAVID BRANDT
TOKYO (AP) — Shohei Ohtani hit a solo homer in his
return to the Tokyo Dome, Roki Sasaki threw three eventful innings in
his big-league debut and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Chicago Cubs
6-3 on Wednesday night to sweep the two-game series in Japan.
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Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Tommy Edman, left, reaches out for
the throw to the bag to get the force out on Chicago Cubs' Jon Berti,
right, inthe sixth inning of an MLB Tokyo Series baseball game in Tokyo,
Japan, Wednesday, March 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) |
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Kiké Hernández hit a two-run homer and Tommy
Edman added a solo shot. Ohtani's homer in the fifth barely
cleared the right-center fence and the call was reviewed by
umpires before being confirmed, giving the Dodgers a 6-2 lead.
Sasaki gave up one run and one hit while striking out three, but
also walked five batters, including a free pass that forced in a
run. Landon Knack (1-0) got the win, pitching two scoreless
innings of relief.
Alex Vesia handled the ninth to earn the save after working out
of a two-out jam. Shortstop Miguel Rojas made a stellar
defensive play for the final out, ranging far to his right to
grab a grounder from Matt Shaw before making a strong throw to
first.
Cubs left-hander Justin Steele (0-1) was tagged for five runs
over four innings, giving up the homers to Hernández and Edman.
Jon Berti had three of Chicago's eight hits.
The Dodgers were without Freddie Freeman (ribs) and Mookie Betts
(illness) for a second straight game. Roberts is hopeful that
Freeman and Betts will both be ready for the domestic season
opener on March 27.
Key moment
Ohtani's homer was the moment all of Japan was waiting to see.
The 30-year-old once again delivered in a big spot and had three
hits in the two games in Tokyo.
Key stat
The first six pitches of Sasaki's MLB career registered 99.5,
99.5, 100, 100.5, 99.4 and 98.9 mph on the radar gun.
Up next
Both teams return home, though the Dodgers will go directly to
Los Angeles while the Cubs return to their spring training home
in Mesa, Arizona. The Dodgers open the domestic regular season
schedule at home against the Detroit Tigers on March 27 while
the Cubs are on the road at the Arizona Diamondbacks on the same
day.
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