Shohei Ohtani hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to cap a dramatic comeback, giving the Los Angeles Dodgers a 6-5 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. The win pushed the Dodgers’ record to 8-0, marking the best start by a defending World Series champion in Major League Baseball history.
Los Angeles entered the matchup as the betting favorite, with most oddsmakers listing them at approximately -170 on the moneyline. The Braves, still in search of their first win, were underdogs at around +145. The total run projection was set at 8.5, which was exceeded in a game that featured timely home runs and multiple lead changes.
The Braves appeared in control early, capitalizing on two errors by Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy to build a 5-0 lead. All five runs were unearned, but they gave Atlanta a comfortable cushion. Muncy would later atone for his miscues with a pivotal at-bat in the eighth inning.
The Dodgers began their rally with a two-run homer by Tommy Edman in the second inning. Michael Conforto added a solo home run in the fourth to narrow the deficit to 5-3. Despite falling behind early, Los Angeles chipped away against Braves starters and relievers, keeping the pressure on throughout the middle innings.
In the bottom of the eighth, Muncy delivered a game-tying two-run double off Atlanta closer Raisel Iglesias, who had entered the game in a high-leverage situation. The double erased a five-run deficit and gave the Dodgers momentum heading into the ninth.
With the score tied 5-5, Ohtani stepped to the plate in the bottom of the ninth and connected on a pitch from Iglesias, sending it over the right-center field wall to end the game. The home run was a fitting conclusion on a night celebrating the two-time MVP. Fans had lined up for hours outside the stadium ahead of the game, eager to receive the first of four scheduled Ohtani bobblehead giveaways this season. The collectible featured Ohtani holding his 2024 National League MVP award.
Jack Dreyer earned the win in relief for Los Angeles, his first of the season, after pitching a scoreless top of the ninth. The Dodgers’ bullpen held Atlanta scoreless over the final innings, allowing the offense to mount yet another comeback. Six of Los Angeles’s eight victories this season have come from behind.
The Braves, now 0-7, remain winless through the season’s opening week. Their early-season struggles mirror the 2016 campaign, when they began with an 0-9 record. They will look to reset on Friday in their home opener against the Miami Marlins, with right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach scheduled to make the start.
The Dodgers will begin a six-game road trip starting Friday in Philadelphia. Right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto is slated to start the opener, entering with a 1-0 record and a 2.70 earned run average. Los Angeles will aim to extend its perfect start against a strong Phillies lineup at Citizens Bank Park.
