Shohei Ohtani Gets First Dodgers Win, Strikes Out 9

The energy at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday night wasn’t just about the giveaways. Fans came to see Shohei Ohtani finally notch his first win as a Los Angeles Dodger.

Ohtani did a bit of everything—he owned the mound and made noise at the plate. His team cruised past the Cincinnati Reds 5-1. It was a night that mixed command, dominance, and timely offense, and Ohtani showed everyone again why he’s just so compelling to watch.

Ohtani’s First Dodgers Win: A Long Time Coming

This win meant more than just a number in the column for Ohtani. It was his first since August 9, 2023, back when he played for the Angels.

That stretch between wins felt endless, thanks to his recovery and the whole process of joining a new team. On this particular night, though, everything finally clicked.

He struck out a season-high nine over five innings, throwing 87 pitches. Ohtani allowed just two hits, walked two, and gave up only one run before he retired his final eight batters.

The Reds Strike First, but Ohtani Shuts the Door

The crowd buzzed from the first pitch, but there was a quick gut-check in the third inning. Cincinnati’s Noelvi Marte crushed a 410-foot homer, putting the Reds up 1-0.

That was pretty much it for the Reds’ offense against Ohtani. He settled right back in, showing the kind of focus and fire that’s made his career so electric.

The Dodgers’ Offensive Surge

The third inning might’ve belonged to the Reds, but the fourth was all Dodgers. Los Angeles wiped away the deficit with a four-run surge.

Kiké Hernández and Dalton Rushing both came through with clutch two-run singles. The rally set the tone for the rest of the night.

Conforto Seals the Deal

By the eighth inning, the Dodgers had things under control. Michael Conforto still gave fans another reason to get loud, launching a solo homer to make it 5-1.

That extra run wasn’t really needed, given how the pitching looked, but it sure didn’t hurt. It also showed off the Dodgers’ deepening lineup.

A Record-Setting Night on the Mound

Ohtani stole the headlines, but the Dodgers’ entire pitching staff delivered something special. Together, they struck out 19 Reds batters, setting a new franchise record for strikeouts in a nine-inning game.

This kind of pitching dominance has become a bit of a theme during their current win streak.

NL West Implications

With their fourth straight win, Los Angeles kept a two-game lead over the San Diego Padres in the NL West. The division race is heating up, and the Dodgers need to keep finding consistency on the mound and at the plate.

What’s Next for the Dodgers

The Dodgers will try to keep things rolling as they start a series against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday. Blake Snell (3-2, 1.97 ERA) gets the ball, looking to make a statement of his own.

The Reds, meanwhile, will head home and send Zack Littell (9-8, 3.62 ERA) to the mound against the St. Louis Cardinals. Should be interesting to see how both teams respond.

Key Takeaways from Ohtani’s Performance

Ohtani’s midseason form is starting to show up. That could spell trouble for the rest of the National League.

He’s racking up strikeouts, not giving up many hits, and still finding ways to help on offense. Honestly, he’s looking like one of the most complete threats in baseball right now.

• First win since August 9, 2023
• Season-high nine strikeouts
• 87 pitches over five innings, allowing two hits and one run
• Dodgers pitchers combined for 19 strikeouts—a franchise record
• Contributed offensively with a hit and a run scored

Dodgers fans have waited to see Ohtani dominate in Dodger blue. Watching him do it on the mound feels pretty satisfying, doesn’t it?

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Here is the source article for this story: Shohei Ohtani gets first victory with Dodgers, striking out season-high 9 against Reds