In a thrilling showcase of skill and determination, the Los Angeles Dodgers triumphed over the Chicago Cubs 6-3, concluding their opening series in Tokyo on March 19, 2025. The game marked a historic moment as Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut, significantly underlining the match's excitement.
It was an eventful day at the Tokyo Dome, where the Dodgers made their presence known. The team's lineup featured stars like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, enhancing the allure of the game. In the second inning, the Dodgers took control with a double play that allowed Tommy Edman to score two early runs, positioning them strongly against the Cubs.
In the third inning, Edman added to the lead by hitting a solo home run, boosting the score to 3-0, and thrilling the Dodger fans. The intensity ramped up in the fourth inning when Kike Hernandez charged the left field and hit a two-run homer, bringing the score to 5-1 and knocking Cubs starter Justin Steele out of the game after he allowed five earned runs.
Then came Ohtani’s electrifying moment. Following a string of solid pitches from Cubs' reliever Nate Pearson, Ohtani belted his first home run of the season to the center-right field on his third at-bat, making the score 6-2. This was a notable highlight for Ohtani, especially since it was his fastest home run, taking only eight at-bats into the season to accomplish.
On the opposing side, the Cubs struggled to find their rhythm against the Dodger pitching. Roki Sasaki, making significant waves as he debuted in front of a home crowd, showed promise through his three innings pitched, allowing just one hit, a single run, and recording an impressive three strikeouts. However, control was an issue for Sasaki, who walked five batters. His fastball was remarkable, clocking in at an astounding 100.5 miles per hour (approximately 162 km/h) during the first inning, which he used to strike out Munetaka Murakami for his first MLB strikeout.
Though the Cubs managed to score two additional runs in the late innings courtesy of some determined hitting, it wasn't enough to close the gap significantly. Swanson’s left-field double allowed the Cubs to make some progress, narrowing the score to 3-5 in the seventh. Nevertheless, the Dodgers held firm and shut down the Cubs, ensuring their victory.
Spotlight moments weren’t limited to the dynamic play alone. Special appearances like Little Glee Monster, who performed the Japanese national anthem, and former MLB player Hiroshi Uehara, who threw the ceremonial first pitch, added to the celebratory atmosphere of the event.
With their strong showing, the Dodgers collected their second consecutive victory over the Cubs during this Tokyo Series. They are keen to carry this momentum into their upcoming spring training game against the Los Angeles Angels at Dodger Stadium on March 24, 2025.
The final score reflected the energy and talent on display, with the Dodgers scoring a total of six runs driven by three home runs. This serves not only as a victory on the scoreboard but also showcases the enduring excitement and competitiveness that baseball brings, particularly in moments as significant as this historic series.
