The Los Angeles Dodgers got off to a strong start in the early-season matchup between the National League championship favorites.
The Dodgers defeated the Atlanta Braves 5-1 on Sunday with two home runs from Shohei Ohtani. With this victory, they completed a three-game winning streak in the first meeting of the season between the leading contenders in the National League.
Los Angeles won the series opener on Friday, 4-3 in 11 innings, and beat Atlanta 11-2 on Saturday.
On Sunday, Ohtani started the scoring in the first inning with a two-run home run off Braves ace Max Fried.
He then hit a solo shot in the 9th inning to tie the score and win 5-1.
Dodgers starting pitcher James Paxton pitched 6 2/3 innings, giving up 5 hits, 2 walks, and 3 strikeouts, allowing 1 earned run and holding the Braves to victory.
With this win, the Dodgers improved to 23 wins and 13 losses, extending their lead over the second-place San Diego Padres in the National League West to five games. With this sweep, the Braves improved to 20 wins and 12 losses, leaving them two games behind the Philadelphia Phillies for first place in the National League East.
Ohtani shines in Braves sweep
Sunday's victory capped off a sensational series for Ohtani. Ohtani hit three home runs and led the Dodgers to victory with an RBI in the 10th inning in overtime on Friday.
Ohtani finished Sunday's game 4-for-4 with two home runs, three RBIs, and two runs scored. The Dodgers gave Fried four earned runs in seven innings, giving him his first loss in seven starts this season. Fried is currently 2-1 with a 4.23 ERA.
On Saturday, Los Angeles gave up Braves All-Star Bryce Elder, who allowed seven unearned runs on seven hits, three home runs and four walks in 3 1/3 innings, and Ohtani hit one of the Dodgers' five home runs. hit. Max Muncy hit three home runs in the 11-2 win.
Ohtani gets off to a sensational start with Dodgers
In this series, Ohtani had eight hits in 12 at bats, three home runs, six RBIs, five runs scored, three walks, and two stolen bases. Through 35 games in his first season with the Dodgers, Ohtani is batting .364/.426/.685 with 10 home runs, 25 RBIs, and seven stolen bases. At the end of Sunday's game, he was either first or tied for first in MLB in batting average, slugging percentage and home runs.
The Braves won't get their next chance against the Dodgers until a four-game series scheduled to begin on Sept. 13, which could have a significant impact on the playoffs in overtime of the regular season.
