Ohtani’s walk-off home run in the ninth completes the rally as the Dodgers defeat the Braves 6-5 to start 8-0.

April 2, 2025 – LOS ANGELES – On a night that will be remembered for its drama and resilience, Shohei Ohtani delivered a breathtaking walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning, capping an incredible comeback for the Los Angeles Dodgers as they defeated the Atlanta Braves 6-5 at Dodger Stadium. The victory not only extended the Dodgers’ undefeated start to 8-0 but also reaffirmed their dominance as the reigning World Series champions.

A Rocky Start for the Dodgers

The game initially seemed to be slipping away from the Dodgers. Blake Snell, making his second start of the season, struggled early on. The Braves, desperate to turn their fortunes around after a miserable 0-6 start, wasted no time in pouncing on the Dodgers’ ace.

In the first inning, Atlanta’s star first baseman, Matt Olson, lined a double down the right-field line, setting up Ronald Acuña Jr. to drive him home with a single. The Braves continued their offensive onslaught in the second inning, capitalizing on a pair of defensive misplays by Max Muncy at third base. A throwing error allowed Michael Harris II to reach base, and a subsequent double by Sean Murphy made it 2-0.

The real damage came when Orlando Arcia crushed a three-run homer to left-center field, putting the Braves ahead 5-0. The early deficit left the Dodgers’ faithful in stunned silence as Snell struggled to regain control.

Chipping Away at the Lead

Despite the early struggles, the Dodgers refused to go quietly. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Tommy Edman provided a much-needed spark, launching a solo home run to center field off Braves starter Charlie Morton. The Dodgers’ dugout came alive as they sensed the beginning of a comeback.

Michael Conforto followed suit in the sixth inning, sending a towering shot into the right-field seats to cut the Braves’ lead to 5-2. The Dodgers were beginning to find their rhythm against Morton, forcing Braves manager Brian Snitker to turn to his bullpen earlier than planned.

Muncy’s Redemption in the Eighth

As the game entered the later innings, momentum firmly shifted toward Los Angeles. Muncy, looking to atone for his earlier defensive struggles, stepped up to the plate in the eighth inning with two runners on base and the Dodgers down by three. Facing Atlanta’s top setup man, A.J. Minter, Muncy ripped a two-run double into the right-field gap, scoring Will Smith and Gavin Lux. The Dodger Stadium crowd erupted as the scoreboard now read 5-4, with the tying run just 90 feet away.

Chris Taylor then delivered in the clutch, hitting a sacrifice fly to center field that allowed Muncy to score, leveling the game at 5-5. The crowd, sensing the inevitable, was on its feet as the Dodgers completed their five-run comeback.

The Ninth-Inning Heroics

With the game tied heading into the bottom of the ninth, all eyes were on Shohei Ohtani. The two-way superstar had already shown flashes of brilliance throughout the early part of the season, and tonight was his moment to shine.

Raisel Iglesias, the Braves’ closer, took the mound with hopes of sending the game to extra innings. On the first pitch he threw, a 97 mph fastball over the heart of the plate, Ohtani connected. The sound of the bat meeting the ball was unmistakable—a towering 399-foot shot that soared over the center field wall, sending Dodger Stadium into absolute pandemonium.

As Ohtani rounded the bases, his teammates poured out of the dugout in celebration. The moment was made even more special as it was Ohtani’s bobblehead night at the stadium, making it a storybook ending for the fans in attendance.

Postgame Reactions

After the game, Ohtani, through a translator, expressed his excitement over the moment. “I knew I had to be aggressive on the first pitch,” he said. “I felt the energy from the fans, and I wanted to give them something special.”

Manager Dave Roberts praised the resilience of his team. “This is why I love this group,” Roberts said. “No matter the deficit, no matter the circumstances, they find ways to fight back. That’s championship baseball.”

On the other side, Braves manager Brian Snitker lamented the team’s inability to close out the game. “We had them on the ropes,” Snitker said. “But against a team like the Dodgers, you can’t let up for even a second.”

Historical Significance

With this victory, the Dodgers improved to 8-0, marking the best start by a reigning World Series champion in MLB history. The team has shown remarkable consistency, winning games in various ways—whether through dominant pitching, clutch hitting, or sheer resilience.

For Ohtani, the walk-off home run was his third of the season, adding yet another highlight to his already historic career. The Japanese superstar has seamlessly integrated into the Dodgers’ lineup, providing both offensive firepower and pitching dominance.

Looking Ahead

The Dodgers will look to continue their hot streak as they face the Braves in the second game of the series tomorrow night. With their confidence at an all-time high, the team is proving why they are the favorites to repeat as champions.

For the Braves, the loss extends their winless start to 0-7, their worst beginning to a season since 2016. With an offense capable of producing big numbers, Atlanta will need to quickly turn things around to avoid falling deeper into an early-season hole.

Ohtani’s walk-off capped a truly unforgettable night at Dodger Stadium, one filled with drama, adversity, and ultimately, triumph. As the Dodgers continue their historic start, one thing is clear: This team isn’t just aiming for a good season—they’re chasing greatness.