Shohei Ohtani homers twice Dodgers sweep Braves 5-1 win

Shohei Ohtani hits two home runs as Dodgers sweep Braves. James Paxton shines on the mound. Braves struggle offensively.

The Los Angeles Dodgers had a spectacular victory over the Atlanta Braves, sweeping the three-game series with a final score of 5-1. The star of the game was Shohei Ohtani, who went 4 for 4 with two impressive home runs. Ohtani's first homer came in the first inning when he smashed a hanging curveball from Braves starter Max Fried over the center field fence for a two-run shot. He followed up with two singles in the third and sixth innings before launching another massive home run in the eighth inning off reliever A.J. Minter.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised Ohtani's performance, highlighting the uniqueness of his talent. Ohtani's exceptional game included tying a career-high of four hits and marking his first multihomer game with the Dodgers. With this performance, Ohtani now leads the major leagues with 10 home runs this season.

Teoscar Hernandez also contributed to the Dodgers' victory with a two-run homer, while James Paxton delivered a strong pitching performance, taking a shutout into the seventh inning. Paxton finished the game with 6 2/3 innings pitched, allowing only one run to secure his fourth win of the season.

Despite Marcell Ozuna's homer for the Braves, the team struggled offensively, scoring three runs or less in six of their last eight games. Braves manager Brian Snitker acknowledged the team's offensive rut and expressed hope for improvement in the upcoming games.

The Dodgers' bullpen, including Blake Treinen and Michael Grove, closed out the game effectively to seal the sweep. In terms of injuries, the Dodgers placed RHP Evan Phillips on the 15-day IL with a right hamstring strain but activated Treinen, who made his first appearance since the 2022 postseason.

Looking ahead, the Braves will send RHP Reynaldo Lopez to start against Boston, while the Dodgers will have RHP Walker Buehler on the mound for the opener of a series against Miami. Overall, the game showcased Ohtani's exceptional talent, the Dodgers' strong performance, and the Braves' offensive struggles, setting the stage for an exciting continuation of the season for both teams.