The LA Dodgers showcased their prowess as the 'defending champions' in front of 42,365 spectators at the Tokyo Dome. Shohei Ohtani delivered a multi-hit performance, while Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched his heart out to secure the victory.

The Dodgers achieved a resounding 4-1 victory against the Chicago Cubs in the first game of the Major League Baseball Tokyo Opening Series on the 18th at the Tokyo Dome. It was a complete win for the 'defending champion' Dodgers.

This is the sixth regular season game held in Japan. Since 2000, opening games of the regular season have been held at the Tokyo Dome in 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2019. Major League Baseball has returned to Tokyo after six years.

The Dodgers started with Shohei Ohtani (designated hitter), Tommy Edman (second baseman), Teoscar Hernández (right fielder), Will Smith (catcher), Max Muncy (third baseman), Kiké Hernández (first baseman), Michael Conforto (left fielder), Miguel Rojas (shortstop), and Andy Pache (center fielder). The starting pitcher was Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

Initially, last year's World Series MVP Freddie Freeman, who recovered from an ankle injury, was scheduled to start at first base in the third spot. However, he suddenly withdrew just before the game due to discomfort in his left rib. Mookie Betts experienced dehydration, losing about 7 kg and struggled with his condition before returning to the U.S. With Freeman out, only Ohtani remained among the MVP trio.

The starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs was also Japanese pitcher Shota Imamura. The Cubs' lineup included Ian Happ (left fielder), Seiya Suzuki (designated hitter), Kyle Tucker (right fielder), Michael Busch (first baseman), Matt Shaw (third baseman), Dansby Swanson (shortstop), Pete Crow-Armstrong (center fielder), Miguel Amaya (catcher), and Jon Berti (second baseman).

The Cubs scored the first run of the game and the first run in Major League Baseball. In the second inning, with one out and no runners on base, Dansby Swanson opened the scoring with a single to center field. In a two-out, two-run opportunity following a groundout by Pete Crow-Armstrong to second base, Miguel Amaya hit a double to right center, giving the Cubs a 1-0 lead.

The Dodgers' offense was shut down by Imamura. They were no-hit through the fourth inning. However, after Imamura left the game after pitching four innings with four walks and two strikeouts without allowing a run, the Dodgers started to come alive in the fifth inning, targeting the Cubs' second pitcher, second-year prospect Ben Brown.

After one out in the fifth inning, Andy Pache drew a walk, and Ohtani, who had been stifled by Imamura, recorded his first hit after three at-bats. It was also the Dodgers' first hit of the game. They continued with an opportunity of one out and runners on first and third, and Tommy Edman's single to left field tied the game at 1-1. With one out and runners on first and second, Teoscar Hernández hit a ground ball to third base, resulting in the lead runner being tagged out at first, but second baseman Jon Berti made a bad throw to first base. The Dodgers took the lead at 2-1. Following that, two outs and a runner on second, Will Smith hit a single to left field, extending the score to 3-1.

The game, which had been in a lull, saw the Dodgers put the nail in the coffin in the top of the ninth. Lead-off batter Ohtani hit a double to the left field wall, creating a no-out opportunity with a runner on second. A groundout by Tommy Edman to second base advanced the runner to third, and Teoscar Hernández's single to left field extended the lead to 4-1.

After Yamamoto, the Dodgers had Anthony Bunda (one inning, one strikeout, no runs), Ben Caspariuis (one inning, one strikeout, no runs), and Blake Treinen (one inning, one walk, two strikeouts, no runs). In the ninth, left-handed fireballer Tanner Scott, who joined the team this season for $74 million over four years, came in to close the game.

Imamura left after throwing 69 pitches over four innings, recording four walks, two strikeouts, and allowing no runs. He threw a four-seam fastball with a top speed of 93.8 mph (151 km/h). He threw 31 four-seam fastballs, 24 splitters, 10 sweepers, two changeups, one curve, and one sinker.

Yamamoto allowed the first run in the first inning but became the winning pitcher after pitching five innings, allowing three hits, one walk, four strikeouts, and one run. He used 29 four-seam fastballs, 29 splitters, nine curves, three sinkers, one cutter, and one slider. His four-seam fastball reached a peak speed of 98.1 mph (157.9 km/h) and an average speed of 96.8 mph (155.8 km/h), while his splitter reached a peak speed of 94.1 mph (151.4 km/h) and an average speed of 92.4 mph (148.7 km/h). Yamamoto gave it his all before leaving the mound.

Ohtani concluded the season-opening game with a multi-hit performance, minimizing the absence of Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts. In contrast, Seiya Suzuki went quiet with no hits in four at-bats and one strikeout.

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