Dodgers Triumph Over Tigers in 5-4 Home Opener

LOS ANGELES (AP) — In an electric start to their home season, the Los Angeles Dodgers edged the Detroit Tigers 5-4 on March 27, 2025. Blake Snell made a successful debut with the Dodgers, complemented by significant contributions from Shohei Ohtani and Teoscar Hernández.

Snell (1-0), a two-time Cy Young Award winner, signed a lucrative five-year contract worth $182 million with the Dodgers in the offseason. He pitched five innings, allowing two runs on five hits, while striking out two and walking four.

Teoscar Hernández ignited the crowd with a pivotal three-run homer off Tarik Skubal (0-1) during the fifth inning. Hernández’s big hit came when he connected on Skubal’s first pitch with two outs, sending the Dodgers to a 4-2 lead.

“That was a huge moment for us. I was just looking for a good pitch to hit,” Hernández said after the game. “The crowd was electric, and it felt great to contribute.”

Shohei Ohtani, who celebrated a standout performance by launching his second home run of the season in the seventh inning, also scored twice and showcased his offensive prowess. Tommy Edman joined in the action with a solo home run in the second inning, helping build an early lead for Los Angeles.

The Dodgers initially fell behind 2-1 after Spencer Torkelson’s wild pitch allowed the Tigers to score their first run in the fourth inning. Snell had loaded the bases earlier that inning with consecutive singles and a walk, culminating in manual Margot’s sacrifice fly that put Detroit ahead.

In the seventh, after Ohtani’s solo homer increased the Dodgers’ lead to 5-3, Torkelson retaliated by hitting a home run of his own, bringing the Tigers within one run, at 4-5.

The action attracted a sold-out crowd of 53,595 at Dodger Stadium, where fans witnessed the arrival of the Commissioner’s Trophy, driven onto the field by rapper Ice Cube before the game.

Dodgers reliever Blake Treinen entered in the ninth inning with a slight 5-4 lead, but not without drama. After putting two runners on base, Treinen struck out Trey Sweeney and Colt Keith to secure the win.

Skubal, last year’s American League Cy Young Award winner, recorded four strikeouts and walked one during his five innings on the mound, giving up four runs on six hits.

The Dodgers are now 3-0 this season, having previously swept the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo earlier this month. Looking ahead, right-handed pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto is slated to start for Los Angeles against the Detroit Tigers in the upcoming match.