The three-run bomb put the Dodgers tied with the Nationals. (Washington had taken the lead after a three-run homer by CJ Abrams in the first.)
Ohtani’s home run sparked a comeback for the Dodgers: two batters later, Mookie Betts hit a two-run homer, followed by more two-run bombs from Andy Pages and Freddie Freeman in the third and fourth innings, respectively.Advertisement
It’s been a pretty slow start to the year for Ohtani, who came into the game with a .167/.423/.167 stat line. Ohtani only had three hits in 18 at-bats, but scored two runs on walks.
That said, it’s not an unusual start for the two-way star. This time last year, Ohtani had only hit three home runs; In 2024, Ohtani also hit his first home run of the year on April 3. Los Angeles has also played just seven games so far this year, and the MLB season started a little later due to the World Baseball Classic.
The four-time MVP finished with 55 home runs last year; With 155 games left in the season, he’s still on track to do it again.
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Ohtani also returned to the starting pitching rotation this week, pitching six scoreless innings Tuesday in a 4-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians.
Overall, though, it’s been a slow start for the top home run scorers so far this year. Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, who led the league in home runs last season, has yet to hit the yard in 2026 and has just four hits in 25 at-bats. New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge had a dismal opening day, recording four strikeouts in five at-bats, but has since hit two home runs and hit another on Friday.
Kyle Schwarber, who finished with 56 home runs last year, is the biggest first-week anomaly: He hit a two-run bomb in the first inning on Opening Day to start the year strong.