Shohei Ohtani Hits Leadoff Homer and Throws Five Shutout Innings in Dodgers Win

Shohei Ohtani homered on the first pitch of the game and threw five scoreless innings to lead the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 4-0 win over the San Diego Padres on Wednesday. Ohtani, hitting while pitching for the first time in nearly four weeks, sent a drive over the wall in left-center field at Petco Park. Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill leaped and stretched but could not bring the ball back.

Ohtani allowed three hits and two walks while striking out four batters in an 88-pitch outing. He lowered his ERA to 0.73, the best mark among pitchers who have started a game this season. The right-hander said through interpreter Will Ireton that his goal was to avoid giving up the first run. He achieved that and expressed satisfaction that the team scored first.

Four relievers finished the five-hitter for the Dodgers.

The win completed a series sweep of the Padres, the first meeting between the National League West rivals this year. San Diego starter Randy Vasquez took the loss after giving up six hits and three runs in 4⅓ innings. >"The goal as a pitcher is to not give up the first run.