Shohei Ohtani and Max Muncy help the Dodgers beat the Nationals 13-7
Los Angeles Dodgers #17 Shohei Ohtani (RHP) in his second start this season had two strikeouts in the top of the first inning against the Washington Nationals. Photo by Scott Kurtz June 22, 2025.
LOS ANGELES, CA - Shohei Ohtani (RHP) got his second start of the season and pitched 1.0 inning, two strikeouts, and four at-bats with two hits, three runs, one home run, five RBIs, and two home runs, 7 RBIs, and two runs by Max Muncy to help the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium 13-7.
"I've seen bullpens and lives and simulated games, or whatever," manager Dave Roberts said, "but to watch it in real-time, to go from the mound to the on-deck circle and then go to the batter's box, pretty remarkable. He's just handling it the right way, and he's just unflappable."
Ben Casparius (6-1, RHP) replaced Ohtani to start the second inning, to get the win after pitching 5.0 innings and gave up five hits, three runs, and two strikeouts.
"I've been able to come back to game action earlier than expected," Ohtani said. "In that sense, I do feel like I do have to work on some things. But at the same time, I do feel like I can perform better, even better than I used to be able to perform."
The National would lead 2-0 in the top of the third inning after Lowe doubled into center field, the Dodgers' Hyeseong Kim dropped what would have been the third out, and Wood and Garcia Jr. scored. However, the play was reviewed and changed to a three-run home run by Lowe.
Los Angeles Dodgers #13 Max Muncy (3B) with one out hits a grand slam over the left center field wall his, 200th home run of his career in the bottom of the sixth inning against the Washington Nationals. Photo by Scott Kurtz June 22, 2025.
The Dodgers, in the bottom of the sixth inning, loaded the bases with Betts, Ohtani, and Freddie Freeman, and moments later, Max Muncy would give them a 4-3 lead with a grand slam home run over the left-center-field wall.
Los Angeles increased their lead to 7-3 in the bottom of the seventh inning after Ohtani tripled into right field with a ground ball, and Daylen Lile, Hyeseong Kim, and Michael Conforto scored.
Mookie Betts would knock in an RBI with a single to left field, and Ohtani scored to give the Dodgers an 8-3 lead. Muncy would hit his second home run of the day, this time a fly ball over the center field wall for three runs, Betts and Freddie Freeman crossing the plate, making the score 11-4.
Ohtani would add to his home run total to lead MLB with (26) after hitting a double, but the crew chief reviewed the play and changed it to a two-run home run with Dalton Rushing on base over center field in the bottom of the eighth inning, giving Los Angeles a 13-3 lead.
Washington would score their final runs in the top of the ninth inning after Luis García Jr. singled to center field with a line drive, and Jacob Young scored, and the Nationals now trailed 13-4.
Nathaniel Lowe, out on a sacrifice fly to left field, and CJ Abrams scores, Washington is now down 13-5, and their final run, Brady House, out on a sacrifice fly, and Alex Call scores, 13-6 in favor of the Dodgers.
Amed Rosario would hit a line drive single to center field, and García Jr. came home to make the final score 13-7. Soroka finished the game pitching 5.1 innings, and gave up 2 hits, three runs, and had ten strikeouts.