The Dodgers scored four runs in the third inning before even making an out in their exhibition against Yomiuri on Saturday at the Tokyo Dome. The scored five runs in total in the frame, including three home runs.
It wasn’t even the first home run, but Shohei Ohtani is the main story of the Tokyo Series, the biggest star in the sport returning to his home country of Japan. Ohtani hit the second home run of the third inning, a two-run shot one over the right field wall.
WELCOME BACK TO JAPAN, SHOHEI! pic.twitter.com/Pbk2aEe3UZ
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 15, 2025
Shotime at the Tokyo Dome. pic.twitter.com/cElqMBVBdU
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 15, 2025
Ohtani hit the home run off of Shosei Togo, Yomiuri’s 24-year-old right-hander who posted a 1.95 ERA in 180 innings in 2024.
This was after Ohtani understandably got the biggest reactions from the crowd during the Dodgers workout on Friday, and that was without Ohtani even taking batting practice.
“We’re all waiting in great anticipation,” manager Dave Roberts told reporters in Tokyo ahead of Saturday’s exhibition against Yomiuri. “Shohei, to be quite honest, over the last seven years has represented, almost singlehandedly, the people of Japan. For him to come back here in person, it’s going to be an emotional night for a lot of people.”
So far, so good for Ohtani. And there are still three more games to go in Tokyo.