Shohei Ohtani wasted no time making an impact in the 2025 MLB season, launching his first home run of the year in electrifying fashion. The moment came on Wednesday at the Tokyo Dome, where Ohtani crushed a blazing 99-mph fastball off Cubs reliever Nate Pearson. The solo shot, which came in the top of the fifth inning, gave the Dodgers a 6-2 lead and helped propel them to a 6-3 victory in the Tokyo Series finale.
The energy in the stadium was electric as the ball rocketed toward right-center field, barely missing the grasp of a fan’s glove before bouncing back onto the field. The initial ruling stood—home run! Ohtani had officially opened his home run account for 2025, reminding everyone why he remains one of the most thrilling players in the game.
The Tokyo Series had already been a success for the Dodgers, who kicked off their 2025 regular season with a 4-1 win over the Cubs on Tuesday. That game saw second baseman Tommy Edman get things rolling with the first home run of the MLB season, a blast in the third inning of Wednesday’s contest that soared over the left-field fence, marking an emphatic start to his season as well.
Ohtani’s performance in the series was solid, going 1-for-3 with two walks on Wednesday, adding to his 2-for-5 effort in Tuesday’s opener. His batting average sits at .375 (3-for-8) as he looks to build off his career-best .310 average from 2024.
Before Ohtani’s moonshot, the Dodgers had already gotten on the board early. A passed ball by Cubs catcher Carson Kelly in the top of the second inning allowed the first run to score. Veteran first baseman Enrique Hernández then stepped up, delivering a sacrifice fly to push the lead to 2-0.
The Cubs responded in the bottom of the third when Dodgers starting pitcher Roki Sasaki walked Kyle Tucker with the bases loaded, forcing in a run. But the Dodgers wasted no time countering. Hernández came through again in the fourth, smashing a two-run, 390-foot homer off Cubs starter Justin Steele, extending the Dodgers’ lead to 4-1.
The Cubs showed some fight in the bottom of the fourth, with left fielder Ian Happ driving in Carson Kelly on an RBI single. However, the Dodgers had the last laugh in the fifth inning when Ohtani stepped to the plate. After working his way to a 2-2 count, he got a pitch he liked—Pearson’s 99.9-mph fastball over the middle of the plate—and sent it soaring into the Tokyo night. The home run was a powerful statement from Ohtani, as if to say he’s more than ready to dominate another season.
The Cubs’ final run of the game came in the bottom of the fifth when shortstop Dansby Swanson roped an RBI double. But from there, the Dodgers’ bullpen took over, shutting the door on Chicago’s offense.
Landon Knack, Kirby Yates, and Alex Vesia combined to allow just three hits over the final four innings, ensuring there would be no late-game drama. Vesia, who took the mound in the ninth, secured his first save of the season.
Starting pitcher Roki Sasaki showed flashes of brilliance but battled some control issues, allowing one hit, one run, and five walks over three innings while striking out three. He didn’t factor into the decision, but his ability to limit damage kept the Dodgers in control early. On the other side, Cubs starter Justin Steele struggled, giving up five hits and five runs over four innings. He struck out five and walked one in what turned out to be a rough season debut.
One bright spot for the Cubs was second baseman Jon Berti, who went 3-for-4 with a run scored, proving to be a tough out for Dodgers pitching.
Looking ahead, the Dodgers (2-0) will return stateside to resume spring training action. Their next game is scheduled for Sunday at 8:10 p.m. EDT against the Los Angeles Angels in Los Angeles. The Cubs (0-2) will try to bounce back when they host the San Diego Padres on Friday at 4:05 p.m. in Mesa, Arizona.
As the MLB season gets underway, Ohtani has already given fans something to talk about. His first home run of 2025 was a thing of beauty—a rocket off the bat, a moment of silence before the crowd erupted, and a reminder that Shohei Ohtani remains one of the most electrifying players in baseball. If this is just the beginning, baseball fans are in for another unforgettable season.
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