Shohei Ohtani shines in Dodger debut, singling twice and driving in a run in 5-2 win over the Padres in MLB’s first Seoul Series in South Korea
Shohei Ohtani’s Dodger debut was an undeniable success everywhere from Los Angeles to his native Japan and Seoul, South Korea, where he had two hits and a key RBI in a 5-2 victory over the San Diego Padres.
Major League Baseball’s first Seoul Series was an expression of not only South Korea’s love for the game, but also some talented Japanese stars.
In addition to Ohtani, there was Padres starting pitcher Yu Darvish, who was removed in the fourth inning after two singles and an unearned run.
And at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, none other than his new bride, Japanese basketball player Mamiko Tanaka, wore a white Ohtani replica jersey, which had plenty to celebrate on Wednesday.
Ohtani wasn’t the only star making his Dodgers debut.
Pitcher Tyler Glasnow threw five strong innings, yielding two runs on two hits and four walks, while left fielder Teoscar Hernandez singled and scored two runs on the day.
Padres second baseman Xander Bogaerts drove in the first run of the season in the third inning by driving in Tyler Wade with a single to center off first-year Dodgers starter Tyler Glasnow.
The lead wouldn’t last long, however, as LA’s Jason Heyward hit a sacrifice fly to square Darvish in the fourth inning, scoring Teoscar Hernandez and tying the game at 1-1.
Padres backstop Luis Campusano helped San Diego regain the lead in the fourth by driving into a double play, allowing Manny Machado to score on a fielder’s choice.
But the Dodgers would break the game open from the Padres’ bullpen in the top of the eighth, thanks to a sacrifice fly by newly acquired Enrique Hernandez, which scored Max Muncy. Lux followed with a fielder’s choice that was mishandled by San Diego first baseman Jake Cronenworth, allowing Teoscar Hernandez to score.
Mookie Betts and Ohtani then followed with RBI singles of their own, and the Dodgers had an insurmountable 5-2 lead for their first win of the season.