LOS ANGELES — On a night dedicated to Shohei Ohtani, he delivered a thrilling finish by smacking a game-winning home run in the ninth inning, securing a 6-5 victory for the undefeated Los Angeles Dodgers against the Atlanta Braves. This win on Wednesday continued the Dodgers’ historic 8-0 undefeated streak, marking the best beginning for any defending World Series champion.
Earlier in the game, Max Muncy played a pivotal role by leveling the score with a critical two-run double in the eighth inning against Raisel Iglesias, the Atlanta reliever who was charged with the loss. The Dodgers capitalized on their opportunities after fielding mishaps by the Braves’ third baseman allowed five unearned runs.
Atlanta’s dismal start to the season dragged on as they dropped to a 0-7 record, a stumble akin to when they began their 2016 season with an 0-9 streak.
The anticipation for the game was palpable as fans lined up for hours, enduring traffic chaos at the stadium. They were eager to receive the first of four Shohei Ohtani bobblehead giveaways, celebrating his notable achievements, including his 2024 National League MVP award.
The Dodgers fell behind initially but fought back with resilience. Tommy Edman’s two-run homer in the second inning and Michael Conforto’s solo homer in the fourth contributed to mounting the comeback effort.
Jack Dreyer came out of the bullpen to claim his first win of the season, thanks to Ohtani’s dramatic final act. Impressively, six of the Dodgers’ eight wins so far have been achieved via comeback, showcasing their strong determination.
Looking ahead, the Braves are set to return home, with Spencer Schwellenbach making his first start of the season on Friday against Miami. On the other side, the Dodgers are gearing up for a six-game road trip beginning in Philadelphia, where Yoshinobu Yamamoto is slated to take the mound.