MLB roundup: Shohei Ohtani's walk-off homer keeps Dodgers' unbeaten streak alive
Shohei Ohtani launched a game-winning home run to left-center field in the ninth inning, securing a thrilling 6-5 comeback victory for the Los Angeles Dodgers over the visiting Atlanta Braves on Wednesday. The Dodgers maintained their flawless start to the season, rallying from an early five-run deficit to improve to 8-0, the best season-opening record for a defending champion.
Max Muncy delivered a game-tying two-run double in the eighth, making up for two earlier defensive errors. Tommy Edman and Michael Conforto also went deep for the Dodgers, supporting Blake Snell, who gave up five unearned runs across four innings. Ohtani’s game-winning blast, his third of the season, came on the first pitch from Raisel Iglesias (0-1), sending a near-capacity crowd into celebration on the first of his four bobblehead nights this year. Rookie Jack Dreyer (1-0) earned his first career win with two scoreless innings of relief.
The Braves, now 0-7, continue to struggle as they head home for their opener on Friday. Nick Allen, Ozzie Albies, and Matt Olson each contributed RBI doubles for Atlanta, which is off to its worst start since 2016.
Elsewhere around the league, Brice Turang's suicide squeeze in the 11th inning lifted the Milwaukee Brewers past the Kansas City Royals, Ivan Herrera’s three-home run performance powered the St. Louis Cardinals to victory over the Los Angeles Angels, and Jackson Merrill and Luis Arraez helped the San Diego Padres extend their franchise-best start to 7-0 with a win over the Cleveland Guardians.
In Pittsburgh, Paul Skenes’ dominant seven-inning performance guided the Pirates to a much-needed win over the Tampa Bay Rays, while the Boston Red Sox snapped a four-game skid behind Garrett Crochet’s eight scoreless innings against the Baltimore Orioles.
Jack Leiter’s five shutout innings propelled the Texas Rangers to another 1-0 win over the Cincinnati Reds, and Zac Gallen’s 13-strikeout gem led the Arizona Diamondbacks past the New York Yankees. The Chicago Cubs completed a three-game sweep over the Oakland Athletics with a powerful offensive display, and Zack Wheeler’s 10-strikeout effort helped the Philadelphia Phillies handle the Colorado Rockies.
Byron Buxton and Harrison Bader’s power surge carried the Minnesota Twins past the Chicago White Sox, while the Seattle Mariners held off the Detroit Tigers thanks to Dylan Moore’s home run and a clutch save from Andres Muñoz.
Wilmer Flores continued his hot streak as the San Francisco Giants completed a sweep of the Houston Astros, while the New York Mets edged the Miami Marlins in 11 innings after Jesse Winker’s bases-loaded walk. Meanwhile, Easton Lucas delivered five shutout innings in his first MLB start, guiding the Toronto Blue Jays to a sweep of the Washington Nationals.
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