Clayton Kershaw delivered a masterful performance, pitching seven scoreless innings, while Shohei Ohtani blasted two home runs, propelling the Los Angeles Dodgers to an 11-5 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Saturday. This win moved the Dodgers back into first place in the National League West.
Ohtani ignited the Dodgers' offense with a leadoff home run off Giants' starter Landen Roupp. Roupp struggled throughout his short outing, walking Teoscar Hernández and Max Muncy in the second inning. Both runners eventually scored on an Andy Pages single and a Michael Conforto double, extending the Dodgers' lead.
Roupp's struggles continued as he intentionally walked Ohtani but then allowed Mookie Betts to hit a two-run double. Roupp was pulled after just 1 2/3 innings, having surrendered six runs on four hits and five walks.
Ohtani added his second home run in the sixth inning, marking his 250th career home run in MLB. Despite a recent 10-game homer drought, Ohtani's performance was a key factor in the Dodgers' victory. Manager Dave Roberts noted that Ohtani might have been pressing recently, but on Saturday, he focused on using the whole field.
Kershaw's Dominant Start
Equally important to the Dodgers' success was Clayton Kershaw's stellar outing. In his sixth appearance since returning to the rotation on May 17, Kershaw allowed only three hits and one walk while striking out five in seven innings. He's now given up just one run in his last 12 innings, showcasing his return to form. This was arguably Kershaw's best start of the season, providing a significant boost to the Dodgers' pitching staff.
Dodgers Regain First Place
With this decisive win, the Dodgers reclaim the top spot in the NL West, demonstrating their strength both offensively and defensively. The combination of Ohtani's power and Kershaw's pitching prowess makes them a formidable team as they continue their season.