In a thrilling encounter at Dodger Stadium on April 26, 2025, the Los Angeles Dodgers triumphed over the Pittsburgh Pirates with an 8-4 victory, halting their three-game losing streak. The star of the night was none other than Shohei Ohtani, who made headlines by delivering a stellar performance as the designated hitter, contributing significantly to the Dodgers' comeback.
Ohtani, 30, showcased his prowess at the plate, finishing the game with three hits in five at-bats, including a double, a triple, and a game-tying double, marking his fourth three-hit game of the season. Additionally, he recorded his first stolen base of the season, raising his batting average to .277.
The game began with a jolt as Pirates' leadoff hitter Oneil Cruz launched a home run off Dodgers' starting pitcher Roki Sasaki, putting the Pirates ahead 1-0 in the first inning. Sasaki, aiming for his first major league win, faced challenges throughout the game but managed to strike out four batters while throwing a career-high 93 pitches.
In his first at-bat, Ohtani wasted no time making an impact. He hit a double to right-center, his first extra-base hit since becoming a father, setting the stage for the Dodgers to respond. Mookie Betts advanced to third base on a groundout, and Teoscar Hernandez drove him in with a timely double, leveling the score at 1-1. The Dodgers then took the lead thanks to an error by Pirates' second baseman Adam Frazier, making it 2-1.
However, the Pirates fought back, scoring two runs in the fifth inning to reclaim the lead at 3-2. Ohtani was unable to capitalize on a scoring opportunity in the second inning, striking out with runners on second and third, but he quickly redeemed himself in the fifth. With one out and no runners on, he hit a triple down the right field line, leading to another tying run as Freddie Freeman delivered a single to make it 3-3.
As the game progressed, the tension mounted. In the seventh inning, trailing 4-3, Ohtani stepped up to the plate again. With one out and a runner on first, he delivered a clutch double to left-center off Pirates' left-hander Fargasen, once again tying the game. Ohtani's speed was on display as he successfully stole third base, his sixth of the season, putting the Dodgers in a prime position to take the lead.
The explosive eighth inning saw the Dodgers break the game open. Teoscar Hernandez launched a solo home run, followed by a three-run shot from Kiké Hernandez, pushing the Dodgers ahead 8-4. Ohtani had one more chance to contribute in the eighth, but he grounded out to the shortstop.
Despite the win, Sasaki's quest for his first major league victory was again postponed as he exited the game after allowing three runs over 5.2 innings. "I think he's stabilizing, and he's getting strikeouts when he wants to," Ohtani commented on Sasaki's performance. He added, "It would have been good if he could have held the last person (in the sixth inning), but I want to look forward to his next game, and I want to do my best to hit in that game."
Ohtani's contributions were crucial, not only in terms of scoring but also in boosting the morale of a team that had been struggling. After the game, he expressed his satisfaction, stating, "I haven't been hitting much lately, so it would be good if it could be a good trigger. Even when we're on a losing streak, the team's atmosphere isn't bad, but if we don't win, we can't get on a roll. Everyone hit, so it was a good game." His performance resonated with fans, who celebrated the end of the losing streak and the return of the Dodgers' offensive firepower.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Ohtani and Sasaki as they aim to build on this momentum. The Dodgers will look to carry this victory forward as they continue their campaign in Major League Baseball, while Ohtani's journey as a new father adds an exciting personal chapter to his already illustrious career.
