Shohei Ohtani hits walk-off homer as unbeaten Dodgers make history
Shohei Ohtani hit a game-winning home run to left-center field in the ninth inning, and the Los Angeles Dodgers kept their season-opening win streak alive by rallying from an early five-run deficit to earn a 6-5 victory over the visiting Atlanta Braves on Wednesday.
“Shohei being Shohei at the end,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “What better way to finish the game on his bobblehead night (than) with a walk-off homer.”
Max Muncy had a game-tying two-run double in the eighth to atone for two early errors as the Dodgers became the first defending champion to open a season 8-0. The Braves dropped to 0-7 as they head toward their home opener on Friday.
“Just the way the game started for him on the defensive side, and then his first three at-bats, and continuing to fight and not quit was huge,” Roberts said. “This game kind of keeps presenting opportunities, and you gotta be ready for them and tonight he was, and he came with a huge hit against a very good pitcher.”
Tommy Edman and Michael Conforto hit home runs for the Dodgers to help left-hander Blake Snell overcome a rocky outing. All five runs Snell allowed over four innings were unearned while he walked four with two strikeouts.
Ohtani’s home run, his third of the season, came on the first pitch from right-hander Raisel Iglesias (0-1) and sent a near sold-out crowd into a frenzy on the star’s first of four bobblehead nights of the season.
Rookie Jack Dreyer (1-0) pitched two scoreless innings for his first career win.
Nick Allen, Ozzie Albies and Matt Olson all delivered run-scoring doubles for the Braves, while right-hander Bryce Elder gave up three runs on three hits over four innings in his first start of the season.
Atlanta’s season-opening losing streak is its worst since an 0-9 start in 2016.
Muncy’s two-out throwing error in the first allowed the Braves to score their first run, and Allen followed with an RBI double. Muncy made another throwing error in the top of the second on a Stuart Fairchild grounder. He scored on Albies’ double to the warning track.
Olson’s two-run double with two outs in the second gave the Braves a 5-0 lead.
The Dodgers closed the gap with a two-run home run from Edman in the bottom of the second, his fourth of the season. Conforto hit his first home run with his new team in the fourth as the Dodgers got within 5-3.
The Dodgers played without former Braves star Freddie Freeman (ankle) during the series.
The Los Angeles Dodgers managed to secure a stunning victory against the Atlanta Braves, thanks to the brilliant Shohei Ohtani, who brought the team to a score of 6-5, that too, on his first bobblehead night. After Shohei Ohtani’s victory, fans were excited enough to share their reactions on social media platforms, while some cheered for Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers, calling it a “piece of cinema,” other baseball fans, meanwhile, called the win “scripted.”
Shohei Ohtani’s walk-off on his bobblehead night
Shohei Ohtani managed to secure a solid win against the Atlanta Braves. After the match, Shohei felt he was honorable to feel the pressure and performed well because he wanted to live up to the expectations of his fans.
Now, the Los Angeles Dodgers are standing alone to witness history being made. They will start as the first defending World Series Championship, beginning the season with 8-0.
Fans express love for Shohei Ohtani while some remain divided over Dodgers’ victory
The MLB shared Shohei Ohtani’s historic moment for his fans to witness. Fans were excited as well.
A post said:
“Ballgame. Shohei Ohtani sends everyone home … with his bobblehead!”
A fan felt the moment was close to a movie.
Another fan said:
“Ohtani is absolutely unreal!! Braves now 0-7.”
Another fan said:
“Ohtani doing Ohtani things, Imagine getting a bobblehead AND watching him clutch up like that—best day ever!”
While the Dodgers’ fans took digs at those who didn’t like Shohei Ohtani. A fan shared a meme:
A fan also took a dig at the Atlanta Braves, despite a close win.
While fans of the Los Angeles Dodgers hailed the moment, other fans called it scripted.
Another fan, who claimed to be a fan of Texas Rangers, said:
“Brave fans don’t deserve this man.”
Dodgers’ Foundation announces donation to victims of California fire
The Dodgers’ Foundation had announced through a social media post that the net proceeds from the 50/50 will benefit the victims of California Fire of the Eaton and Palisades neighborhoods in Los Angeles County. The money shall be donated to them. The post said:
“On behalf Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation is dedicating tonight’s 50/50 Raffle proceeds to helping families rebuild after the Eaton and Palisades fires. #LAstrong.”
Leave a Reply