Dodgers 9-run – The Dodgers ripped through the Angels for nine runs in the bottom of the first inning and cruised to a 9-2 win at Dodger Stadium, with Shohei Ohtani finishing the frame by launching a two-run homer.
On Saturday, the Dodgers didn’t ease into the game against their nearby rivals—the first inning turned into a statement.
At Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles opened with a bottom-of-the-first surge that produced all nine of its runs in that frame. By the time the inning ended. the Dodgers had piled up nine runs despite recording just one out. overwhelming the Angels right from the start. The inning reached its loudest finish when All-Star designated hitter Shohei Ohtani launched a two-run home run to complete the scoring.
The result was a resounding 9-2 victory for the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. The win moved their regular season record to 42-23 and marked their 18th win in their last 23 games. It was also their fifth straight win over the Angels. a streak that comes with a brutal scoring imbalance: the Dodgers have outscored Los Angeles 41-5.
For Ohtani, the homer added to an already massive season. He now has 11 home runs and 35 RBI so far this season.
That early offensive onslaught met resistance that simply didn’t hold. Angels starter Jack Kochanowitz had a rough first inning, allowing seven runs—six earned—and six hits.
On the other side, Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivered a night that felt closer to control than competition. He retired 22 consecutive Angels batters and allowed just two hits in the eight innings he pitched.
The Dodgers’ nine-run first was also a throwback to recent franchise history. It was Los Angeles’ highest-scoring inning since July 2, 2021, when the Dodgers pushed across nine runs in a game against Washington.
With the series moving toward its final act, the stakes stay sharp in the standings. The Dodgers hold an eight-game divisional lead over the second-place San Diego Padres. The Dodgers and Angels will conclude their series on Sunday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. PST.
Los Angeles Dodgers Los Angeles Angels Shohei Ohtani Yoshinobu Yamamoto Jack Kochanowitz MLB Dodger Stadium 9-2 nine-run first inning