Ohtani hits 448-foot homer in 7-run 1st inning, Dodgers hold on for 8-7 win to sweep Rockies

Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman homered in the Dodgers’ seven-run first inning, and Los Angeles held on for an 8-7 victory over the Colorado Rockies
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani watches his ball go out for a solo home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies Wednesday, April 16, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Credit: AP

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Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani watches his ball go out for a solo home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies Wednesday, April 16, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman homered in the Dodgers’ seven-run first inning, and Los Angeles held on for an 8-7 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday night.

Andy Pages drove in three runs and Austin Barnes had a two-run double for the Dodgers, who blew most of an early 7-1 lead before their bullpen secured the series sweep with six innings of three-hit ball.

Michael Toglia hit a grand slam and Mickey Moniak also homered in the third inning for the Rockies, who have lost 33 of 43 to Los Angeles.

Ohtani delivered a 448-foot leadoff homer to the back row of the right-field bleachers on the fourth pitch by Germán Márquez (0-3), and the reigning NL MVP added an RBI single that chased Márquez while the Dodgers batted around in the first.

But right-hander Bobby Miller struggled in his Dodgers season debut. The touted prospect who couldn't seize a golden chance to make LA's injury-plagued rotation last season yielded six runs and eight hits in three innings against Colorado, striking out seven.

Toglia interrupted his dismal start to the season with his second career slam in the third, and Moniak added a solo shot four pitches later.

Ben Casparius (1-0) pitched three innings of two-hit relief.

The last-place Rockies went 0-6 on their Southern California road trip, dropping to 3-15 this season.

Key moment

Tanner Scott allowed a single but struck out three Rockies in the ninth for his sixth save. He threw all 11 of his pitches for strikes.

Key stat

Colorado scored more runs than it managed in the first five games of this trip combined (5).

Up next

Yoshinobu Yamamoto (2-1, 1.23 ERA) pitches for the Dodgers at Texas on Friday. Chase Dollander (1-1, 5.06) starts for the Rockies at home against Washington.

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Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani watches his ball go out for a solo home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies Wednesday, April 16, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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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)

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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)

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Los Angeles Dodgers' Tommy Edman, right, scores on a single by Andy Pages as Colorado Rockies catcher Braxton Fulford waits for the ball during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, April 16, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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