Shohei Ohtani pitching debut restores order in 4-1 win over Cleveland
Los Angeles Dodgers #17 Shohei Ohtani (RHP) in his pitching debut at Dodger Stadium went 6.0 innings, gave up one hit and six strikeouts against the Cleveland Guardians. Photo by Mark Hammond/BNS March 31, 2026.
LOS ANGELES, CA - After losing the series opener 4-2 to the Cleveland Guardians, Shohei Ohtani (1-0) restored order in his pitching debut at Dodger Stadium with a 4-1 victory after pitching 6.0 innings, allowing one hit, and had six strikeouts.
On the night, despite retiring 11 of the first 13 batters, Ohtani’s command of his pitches wasn’t sharp, but he was able to keep the Guardians’ batters in check, despite giving up walks to Gabriel Arias and Steven Kwan in the top of the third inning, and the only hit was a double by Rhys Hoskins.
Keep in mind, Ohtani had elbow surgery last season, and since August 27, has not given up a run in 22 and 2/3 innings (career high), which is still the record in MLB. Along with other Dodgers slow starts at the bat, it’s a long season, so stick around.
Los Angeles Dodgers #17 Shohei Ohtani (RHP) pitched a 6.0 inning shutout and gave up one hits against the Cleveland Guardians at Dodger Stadium. Photo by Mark Hammond/BNS March 31, 2026.
"I’ve been able to get on base, and that’s a good thing," Ohtani said. "But on pitches that I should be making an impact, I’m not quite able to do that to the extent that I should be able to. That’s the part that I’m not quite happy about.
Andy Pages gave the Dodgers a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning with a single to right field that allowed Will Smith to score from second base, after a single by Teoscar Hernandez to center field.
Max Muncy would give Los Angeles a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning with a solo home run over the right field wall.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, after Freddie Freeman got on base, Teoscar Hernandez delivered a line drive into left field, allowing him to come home to make the score 3-0, sending Muncy to third base.
The Dodgers would lead heading into the top of the ninth inning 4-0, thanks to Pages hitting a line drive to left field with Muncy crossing home plate.
The Guardians would make the final score in the top of the ninth inning 4-1 after Brayan Rocchio hit a ground ball to right field and Kyle Manzardo scored.
Tanner Bibbe (0-1) for Cleveland, pitched 4.0 innings, and gave up four hits and one run.