By DAVID BRANDT
TOKYO — Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw 5 sturdy innings, Shohei Ohtani had two hits and scored twice, and the defending World Collection champion Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Chicago Cubs 4-1 on Tuesday in Main League Baseball’s season opener on the Tokyo Dome.
Taking part in in entrance of their house nation, Yamamoto and Cubs lefty Shota Imanaga each pitched effectively within the first all-Japanese beginning pitching matchup on opening day in MLB historical past. Imanaga threw 4 scoreless innings, permitting no hits however strolling 4.
The Dodgers jumped on Cubs reliever Ben Brown (0-1) within the fifth, scoring three runs, partly due to a throwing error by second baseman Jon Berti. Tommy Edman and Will Smith had RBI singles.
Ohtani was a part of the rally, delivering a hard-hit single by way of the fitting facet. He completed 2 for five on the plate, together with a double to steer off the ninth, finally scoring one other run.
Yamamoto (1-0) gave up one run on three hits and a stroll, hanging out 4. Tanner Scott earned his first save.
Chicago’s Miguel Amaya drove in Dansby Swanson with a two-out double that made it 1-0 within the second. The Cubs didn’t have a success after the third.
Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman was scratched earlier than the sport due to left rib discomfort. Shortstop Mookie Betts will miss each video games in Japan due to an sickness.
KEY MOMENT
Ohtani’s single was the primary hit of the sport for the Dodgers, serving to begin a rally that may flip the sport of their favor.
KEY STAT
Yamamoto, Anthony Banda, Ben Casparius and Blake Treinen mixed to retire 16 batters in a row from the third to the eighth innings. The streak ended when Treinen hit Berti with a pitch with one out within the eighth.
UP NEXT
Japanese rookie Roki Sasaki will make his MLB debut for the Dodgers whereas left-hander Justin Steele takes the mound for the Cubs on Wednesday night time for the ultimate sport in Tokyo.
