Shohei Ohtani sent a jolt of energy through the Tokyo Dome with one of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ three home runs in the third inning that propelled them to a 5-1 win against the Yomiuri Giants.
Ohtani drew a leadoff walk to start the game but was erased from the bases when Tommy Edman grounded into a double play. In the third inning, Ohtani ambushed the first pitch from Shosei Togo for a solo blast to right field.
The raucous crowd had plenty of exuberance through the night, but sat in silence each time Ohtani stepped up to bat.
Michael Conforto’s home run gave the Dodgers their first hit of the game and broke up the scoreless tie. Andy Pages added onto the lead with an RBI double before Ohtani’s home run.
Teoscar Hernández added a third homer in the inning, which put the Dodgers up 5-0. Despite allowing the string of extra-base hits, Togo got through six innings.
On the pitching front for the Dodgers, Justin Wrobleski received the start in a bullpen game and collected three strikeouts over two perfect innings.
Wrobleski gave way to a conveyor belt of relief pitchers, with Ben Casparius, Anthony Banda, Alex Vesia, Kirby Yates, Blake Treinen, Tanner Scott and Jack Dreyer all pitching one inning.
The Dodgers lost their bid for a shutout when Yates allowed one run on two hits and one walk in the sixth inning. The veteran right-hander has given up a run or multiple hits in five of seven appearances this spring.
Treinen stranded a leadoff single in the seventh inning.
Shohei Ohtani hosting players-only event for Dodgers
After the Dodgers play their second exhibition game in Japan, Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki are hosting a players-only dinner.
“It’s mandatory. So just the players are going to be there — all 31 guys — and they’re going to bring this crazy sushi chef, go to some dinner. They’re going to host it. It’s awesome,” manager Dave Roberts said during an appearance on MLB Network.
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