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Shohei Ohtani’s long HR fuels fast start and Dodgers hold on to sweep Rockies – San Bernardino Sun

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Dodgers starting pitcher Bobby Miller throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday night, April 16, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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LOS ANGELES — Dodger Stadium itself is coming to realize what opposing pitchers already know about Shohei Ohtani.

The old cathedral on the hill is struggling to contain Ohtani’s power and not just when it comes to the wall beyond the outfield grass.

Ohtani crushed a leadoff home run during a seven-run first inning that nearly left the ballpark entirely as the Dodgers ultimately held on for an 8-7 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday night and their third three-game home sweep already this season.

Ohtani’s 448-foot blast landed in the back row of the right-field pavilion and just shy of the zig-zag corrugated metal roof. His 473-foot home run to right-center last season against the Boston Red Sox missed landing on the roof by inches.

“If it was a day game, or as we get into the summer, that ball’s out of the stadium,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “It’s gonna happen at some point.”

Wednesday’s drive merely lit the fuse for a huge first inning when the Dodgers sent 12 batters to the plate. Freddie Freeman hit a home run in the inning, while Andy Pages had a two-run single, and Austin Barnes delivered a two-run double.

Ohtani’s second at-bat of the inning ended in an RBI single.

“It was a superb first inning overall as a team,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton. “It’s really a testament for how focused we are from the get-go.”

The get-go hasn’t always been a strength. Admittedly a slow starter in previous seasons, Ohtani can be especially pleased with his .288 batting average, .930 OPS, six home runs and eight RBIs over 20 games this season since it has come following offseason shoulder surgery.

“I think I’m on par with what I usually do at the plate,” Ohtani said. “My rehab has been going on pretty smoothly, so I think overall, it’s been a really good first 20 games.”

The early offense helped cover a shaky season debut from right-hander Bobby Miller, who gave up a third-inning grand slam to UCLA alum Michael Toglia. Former Angel Mickey Moniak followed with his own home run as the Rockies erased nearly all of the Dodgers’ early six-run lead.

Miller did offer hints of his promise with seven strikeouts among his first eight outs, but his three outings at Triple-A were a mixed bag too with 11 strikeouts and 11 walks in 12 innings.

“Changeup (and) slider wasn’t really there today so kind of just working with two pitches,” Miller said. “There’s a lot of positive but a lot of bad at the same time. Just kind of (do a) dive deep and find out how to get back in the zone with my other two pitches. I know I can take off from there, because I know I know a lot better than what I showed.”

Miller’s path over the last year has been far from smooth with a shoulder injury last April, a demotion last July and a line drive off the side of his head during his first outing of spring training. Through it all, the Dodgers continue to think the ceiling for the 26-year-old remains high.

“Obviously, with things that have happened, he’s had to work his way back,” Roberts said before the game. “But as far as the upside potential, oh, absolutely (it’s high).”

But deep counts and a lack of ground balls proved troublesome against the Rockies.

“Those are the things that, he’s been around long enough, he’s pitched well up here,” Roberts said. “He certainly has the talent to do that. So I think that’s something he’s got to continue to keep front of mind.”

The Dodgers added a run in the fifth inning on a Pages single, with the bullpen holding the Rockies to a single run the rest of the way.

Ben Casparius (1-0) recovered from a brutal outing Saturday against the Chicago Cubs, when he allowed six runs in 1⅔ innings, to give up one run over three innings Wednesday.

“I think there were a couple mechanical hiccups the past couple of weeks, and obviously, just the ebbs and flows are gonna happen,” Casparius said. “Just get back out there and simplify everything, and it felt really good today.”

Tanner Scott struck out the side in the ninth inning for his sixth save, while Max Muncy had two hits for just his second multi-hit game of the season.

“Last couple games for me (have) been a whole lot better,” said Muncy, who is still batting just .193. “Finally getting the ball back in the zone, taking my walks. Kind of doing what I do best and that’s see deep counts, get the pitch count up, allow everyone else to beat themselves. For me it’s a huge thing. … In the last three days, I’ve really felt like myself.”

Dodgers pitchers struck out a season-high 16.



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