Shohei Ohtani hit his first home run for the Los Angeles Dodgers in a 5-4 win over the San Francisco Giants, completing a three-game sweep. Ohtani's solo shot came in the seventh inning, marking his 172nd career home run. The two-time MVP, limited to hitting this season due to elbow surgery, expressed relief at breaking his homer drought.
Ohtani's blast, a 430-foot drive into the right-center field pavilion, put the Dodgers ahead 5-3. The star player, who signed a record $700 million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers, also singled and scored earlier in the game. Despite a recent hitting slump, Ohtani is batting .270 with four RBIs.
The Dodgers' victory was supported by Miguel Rojas' homer and two RBIs, contributing to their fourth consecutive win and a 7-2 record. Tyler Glasnow pitched effectively until the sixth inning, striking out seven batters. The Dodgers' bullpen, led by Dinelson Lamet's save, secured the win with a five-hitter performance.
San Francisco's Jorge Soler and Patrick Bailey each hit solo home runs, but the Giants suffered their fourth straight loss, dropping to a 2-5 record. Kyle Harrison struggled on the mound, giving up four runs in five innings.
Looking ahead, the Giants will face the San Diego Padres in their home opener, with RHP Jordan Hicks starting against RHP Dylan Cease. The Dodgers will send RHP Bobby Miller to the mound in the opener of a series against the Chicago Cubs.
Both teams dealt with injuries, with Giants' LHP Blake Snell progressing in his recovery and Dodgers' OF Jason Heyward placed on the injured list due to lower back tightness.
