Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) waits to bat during the first inning against the Hanshin Tigers at Tokyo Dome. Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Shohei Ohani Delivers Historic Performance in Los Angeles Dodgers' Season-Opening Win

Originally posted on Fastball on SI | By Brady Farkas | Last updated Mar 18, 2025 9:31 AM ET

The Los Angeles Dodgers opened up the 2025 regular season with a 4-1 win over the Chicago Cubs in Game 1 of the Toyko Series in Japan.

The Cubs took an early 1-0 lead but the Dodgers got to the Cubs bullpen, scoring three runs in the fifth inning and one run in the ninth to win.

The Dodgers are now 1-0 as they start their 2024 title defense.

Los Angeles grinded out seven hits in the win, including getting two from reigning National League MVP Shohei Ohtani. He singled and doubled, scoring two runs.

With that performance, he made some unique Japanese baseball history, according to Sarah Langs of MLB.com:

Shohei Ohtani is the first Japanese-born player to score 2+ runs in regular-season MLB game at the Tokyo Dome

Shohei Ohtani is the first Japanese-born player to score 2+ runs in regular-season MLB game at the Tokyo Dome
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) March 18, 2025

This was Ohtani's first major league game in his home country since making his major league debut back in 2018. It was also a homecoming for Dodgers' pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who earned the win after tossing 5.0 innings. He allowed one earned run on three hits while striking out four.

Ohtani is coming off a year full of historic accomplishments, as he hit 54 homers and stole 59 bases to become the first member of the 50/50 club. He's already a three-time MVP and is one of only two players to win the MVP award in both leagues, joining Frank Robinson.

Former Japanese ace Roki Sasaki will make his major league debut in Wednesday's game, which kicks off at 6:10 a.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Fastball on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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