Ohtani Launches 448-Foot Homer as Dodgers Edge Rockies 8-7

17 Apr at 10:40 am

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Ohtani Launches 448-Foot Homer as Dodgers Edge Rockies 8-7/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Shohei Ohtani hit a towering 448-foot home run in the Dodgers’ seven-run first inning, helping Los Angeles hold off a late Colorado rally for an 8-7 win and series sweep. Freddie Freeman also homered, while Andy Pages drove in three runs. The Dodgers improved to 14-4 while the Rockies fell to 3-15.

Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani reacts after hitting a foul ball as Colorado Rockies catcher Braxton Fulford kneels at the plate during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, April 16, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Dodgers vs. Rockies – Quick Looks

Dodgers beat Rockies 8-7 to complete a three-game sweep in L.A.
Shohei Ohtani hit a 448-foot leadoff home run and added an RBI single.
Freddie Freeman homered in a seven-run first inning for L.A.
Rockies’ Michael Toglia hit a grand slam; Mickey Moniak added a solo homer.
Dodgers bullpen allowed just three hits over six innings.
Bobby Miller allowed six runs in his season debut but struck out seven.
Rockies drop to 0-6 on Southern California road trip, now 3-15 overall.
Tanner Scott struck out the side in the ninth for his sixth save.
Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto to face Rangers next.
Rockies return home to play Nationals with Chase Dollander on the mound.

Colorado Rockies’ Michael Toglia is congratulated by teammates in the dugout after hitting a grand slam during the Xhird inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Wednesday, April 16, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Ohtani’s Leadoff Blast and Big First Inning Push Dodgers Past Rockies in 8-7 Win

DEEP LOOKS

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Shohei Ohtani blasted a 448-foot home run on Wednesday night to ignite a seven-run first inning, and the Los Angeles Dodgers held off a fierce rally from the Colorado Rockies to secure an 8-7 victory and complete a three-game sweep at Dodger Stadium.

The win boosts the Dodgers to 14-4 on the season and keeps them atop the National League standings, while the struggling Rockies slid to 3-15, having lost 33 of their last 43 games against Los Angeles.

Ohtani Ignites the Offense Early

Ohtani, the reigning National League MVP, wasted no time making his presence felt. On the fourth pitch of the game from Rockies starter Germán Márquez, Ohtani crushed a solo shot deep into the right-field bleachers, marking one of his most impressive home runs as a Dodger.

He later added an RBI single in the same inning, part of a relentless Dodgers onslaught that saw them bat around and chase Márquez out of the game before he could finish the frame.

“That first inning showed the kind of offensive depth we have,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “Ohtani set the tone, and we just kept pouring it on.”

Freeman, Pages, and Barnes Join the Party

Freddie Freeman followed Ohtani’s lead with a home run of his own in the first inning, while Andy Pages drove in three runs, and Austin Barnes added a two-run double. The Dodgers tallied seven runs on eight hits in the opening frame, one of their best single-inning performances this season.

Though they would add only one more run the rest of the game, the early cushion proved just enough.

Bobby Miller Shaky in Season Debut

Making his first start of the season, Dodgers right-hander Bobby Miller showed flashes of promise—striking out seven—but was ultimately tagged for six runs on eight hits over three innings. The touted young pitcher, who failed to solidify a rotation spot in 2024, struggled to locate his fastball consistently.

“He’s got the stuff,” Roberts said. “But tonight was about surviving, and luckily the bullpen picked him up.”

Toglia and Moniak Spark Colorado Rally

The Rockies clawed back in the third inning. Michael Toglia, who had a sluggish start to the season, launched a grand slam, the second of his career, to cut the deficit to two. Just four pitches later, Mickey Moniak added a solo homer to make it 7-6.

Dodgers Bullpen Closes It Out

Rookie Ben Casparius earned his first major league win, delivering three innings of two-hit relief to steady the ship after Miller’s early exit. The Dodgers bullpen allowed just three hits over the final six innings.

Tanner Scott came on in the ninth and was electric, striking out the side while throwing all 11 pitches for strikes, earning his sixth save of the season.