Dodgers Roar as Ohtani Shines in 13-7 Victory Over Nationals
LOS ANGELES — In a lively atmosphere at Dodger Stadium, fans eagerly gathered to witness Shohei Ohtani’s warm-up tosses before his second start of the 2025 season against the Washington Nationals. The crowd’s excitement reached a fever pitch when Ohtani took the mound, where he struck out two batters and pitched one scoreless inning, helping the Dodgers to a commanding 13-7 victory.
Ohtani’s performance marked his return to the mound after undergoing elbow surgery 21 months prior. He recorded 98.8 mph on his fastest pitch but was pulled after 18 throws, following a dropped pop-up by shortstop Mookie Betts. Despite the setback, Ohtani’s pitching impressed Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who praised the pitcher’s improved command and fastball life.
Though he registered no runs in his brief outing, it was Ohtani’s hitting that electrified the crowd of 48,177. He drilled a three-run triple in the Dodgers’ seven-run seventh inning, followed by a spectacular two-run homer in the eighth, contributing significantly to the team’s comeback from a three-run deficit.
Max Muncy also shone, hitting two homers, including a grand slam that propelled the Dodgers ahead 4-3 in the sixth. The impressive outing solidified Ohtani’s evolving role, with Roberts indicating that future appearances may remain limited to one inning for now.
After concluding his pitching duties, Ohtani transitioned to hitting but faced challenges at the plate, striking out twice. Nonetheless, his presence continues to be a game-changer, earning him accolades from teammates who describe him as “a unicorn.”
The victory allowed the Dodgers to finish their 10-game homestand with a strong 7-3 record, showcasing both the potential of Ohtani and the team’s resilience.
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