Indeed, they are the defending champions. The Los Angeles Dodgers swept the first and second games of the Tokyo series.
The Dodgers won 6-3 against the Chicago Cubs in the second game of the Tokyo series held at Tokyo Dome on the 19th. Shohei Ohtani hit his first home run of the season, igniting excitement at Tokyo Dome. With this victory, the Dodgers continued their positive momentum after winning the first game 4-1 on the 18th.
The Dodgers set their lineup with designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, second baseman Tommy Edman, right fielder Teoscar Hernández, catcher Will Smith, third baseman Max Muncy, first baseman Kiké Hernández, left fielder Michael Conforto, shortstop Miguel Rojas, and center fielder Andy Pajes. Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki took the mound as the starting pitcher.
In response, the Cubs named left-handed pitcher Justin Steele as the starting pitcher. They configured their top of the lineup with left fielder IAAN and designated hitter Seiya Suzuki, followed by right fielder Kyle Tucker, first baseman Michael Busch, third baseman Matt Shaw, and shortstop Dansby Swanson. They utilized center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, catcher Carson Kelly, and second baseman John Berti in the lower part of the lineup.
In the second inning, the Dodgers capitalized on a walk by lead-off hitter Will Smith and a double by Max Muncy, creating an opportunity with no outs and runners at second and third. Taking advantage of the fastball from the opposing pitcher, Will Smith crossed home plate from third base, while Muncy settled at third. Kiké Hernández added another run with a sacrifice fly to center field. In the third inning, with two outs and no runners on base, Tommy Edman hit a left-field solo home run, making the score 3-0.
The Cubs created a scoring opportunity in the bottom of the third inning with one out, thanks to an infield hit by John Berti, a stolen base to second, and a walk to IAAN. Seiya Suzuki also drew a walk, loading the bases. Kyle Tucker's walk forced in a run. However, Michael Busch and Matt Shaw went down on consecutive strikeouts, failing to score any further runs.
Then, in the fourth inning, the Dodgers extended their lead to 5-1 with a double by Will Smith and a two-run home run by Kiké Hernández. The Cubs also had a scoring chance in the bottom of the fourth inning with two outs, following a walk by Carson Kelly and a hit by John Berti. IAAN hit a left-field single, bringing the runner from second base home.
The Dodgers hit a solo home run to right field by Ohtani with one out in the fifth inning, making the score 6-2. The Cubs answered back in the fifth inning with an infield hit by Matt Shaw, followed by a double by Dansby Swanson, bringing them one run closer.
Starting pitcher Roki Sasaki recorded 3 innings with 1 hit, 5 walks, 3 strikeouts, and 1 earned run. Ohtani (1 run in the 5th), along with Tommy Edman (1 run in the 3rd) and Kiké Hernández (2 runs in the 4th), led the offense with home runs.
Cubs starter Justin Steele collapsed, allowing 5 earned runs (5 hits, including 2 home runs, 1 walk, and 5 strikeouts) over 4 innings.
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