Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers win exhibition game in Tokyo
The Los Angeles Dodgers returned to Japan, where they will play their season opener next week — but that hasn’t stopped the buzz and excitement from starting early.
The defending MLB champions played the Yomiuri Giants early Saturday morning in Tokyo in an exhibition game. The game had the atmosphere of a playoff game, with fans filling up the Tokyo Dome. The game’s attendance was 42,064, according to Dodger Blue.
The Chicago Cubs also played the Hanshin Tigers and had an announced attendance of 41,978.
The trip is an opportunity for the Dodgers and MLB to showcase some of its international talents such as Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki. Here are some of the sights and sounds from the Dodgers’ latest exhibition game.
Shohei Ohtani hits home run in Tokyo
The Dodgers had already taken a 2-0 lead against the Giants when Ohtani sent the ball into right field with a two-run home run in the top of the third inning.
WELCOME BACK TO JAPAN, SHOHEI! pic.twitter.com/Pbk2aEe3UZ
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 15, 2025
Michael Conforto contributes early in Dodgers' win
Before Ohtani's home run, Michael Conforto got things started for the Dodgers with a home run on the first pitch of the third inning. Conforto is currently in his first season with Los Angeles after spending the first seven seasons of his career with the New York Mets. He spent the past two seasons with the San Francisco Giants.
Michael with a no-doubter in Tokyo! pic.twitter.com/Kzju5kINpw
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 15, 2025
Teoscar Hernandez piles it on with a home run
Teoscar Hernandez added to the scoring attack in the third inning with a blast to left field. Hernandez's blast gave the Dodgers a 5-0 lead.
Teoscar with the third homer of the inning! pic.twitter.com/dxLmxtXJyR
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 15, 2025
Final: Dodgers 5, Yomiuri Giants 1
The Dodgers finished the game with all three of their home runs coming in the third inning and key contributions from its pitching staff.
The pitchers produced 11 strikeouts against the Giants.
11 Ks from the pitching staff. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/3IujhuG1yg
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 15, 2025
Dodgers' popularity is unmatched in Tokyo
The Dodger players were treated like rockstars in Tokyo as they attracted crowds during games and workouts. MLB announced 10,507 paying fans were in attendance for the Dodgers' workout at the Tokyo Dome, according to multiple reports.
This was the line to get MLB Tokyo Series merchandise on Friday night outside of the Tokyo Dome after the Dodgers held a workout (not a game, a workout.) These next few days are going to be nuts. pic.twitter.com/W9VLzjwLSW
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) March 14, 2025
When is Dodgers' 2025 MLB season opener?
The Dodgers and the Cubs will open the MLB season in Tokyo with games on March 18 and 19. Both games are scheduled for 6:10 a.m. ET.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers win exhibition game in Tokyo
Topics
-
Ohtani hits home run in Dodgers' Tokyo exhibition game
Shohei Ohtani fever in Tokyo reached boiling point Saturday as the Japanese baseball superstar hit a home run in his first game in a Los Angeles Dodgers uniform in his home country.But it was his ...Yahoo Sports - 12h -
Shohei Ohtani hits 2-run homer in Japan during Dodgers win over Yomiuri Giants
Ohtani and the Dodgers will open the 2025 season in Japan with a two-game series against the Cubs.Yahoo Sports - 12h -
Shohei Ohtani electrifies Tokyo Dome crowd as Dodgers slugger crushes home run in exhibition game
The Dodgers will open the 2025 MLB regular season against the Cubs in a two-game Tokyo Series starting March 18CBS Sports - 6h -
Nearing end of short spring, Dodgers, Cubs make final preparations for season opener in Japan
Shohei Ohtani’s bat is ready for the Los Angeles Dodgers while Shota Imanaga has looked good on the mound for the Chicago Cubs with less than 10 days remaining before baseball’s regular-season ...Yahoo Sports - 6d -
Tokyo Series preview: Everything you need to know before the Dodgers and Cubs begin the 2025 MLB season in Japan
Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers will face the Cubs on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Tokyo Dome.Yahoo Sports - 3h -
Thousands pay to catch glimpse of Ohtani practise in Tokyo
Thousands of paying fans in Tokyo clapped and cheered as they watched Shohei Ohtani make a brief appearance in practice with his Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday ahead of the Major League Baseball ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Hernández: Tokyo Series atmosphere shows Shohei Ohtani is more than 'a representative of Japan'
The response to Shohei Ohtani at the Tokyo Dome Friday re-established a longstanding truth about the Dodgers: In Japan's view, there is Ohtani and then there is everyone else.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Ohtani hits long home run in return to Japan
In an exhibition game against the Yomiuri Giants, Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani belted a long two-run homer to right field in the third inning in his return to the Tokyo Dome.ESPN - 4h -
Shohei Ohtani to become first MLB player to appear in Fortnite Icon Series
Ohtani's character will be available on March 17, one day before the Dodgers and Cubs meet in the Tokyo Series.Yahoo Sports - 4d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Intriguing former Bengals player cut, heads to free agency
Should the Bengals have an interest in a reunion?Yahoo Sports - 12m -
FSU softball sweeps doubleheader from Pitt on alumni weekend
The Florida State softball team was back at JoAnne Graf Field for an ACC series opening weekend against Pittsburgh. Entering ACC play, the Seminoles had a 22-5 record and a No. 10 national ...Yahoo Sports - 12m -
Gallegos scores 24 points as fourth-seeded UC San Diego beats UC Davis 75-66 to claim Big West crown
Yahoo Sports - 13m -
How Alabama plans to do some “soul searching” after loss to Florida
Alabama experienced some deja vu in the SEC Tournament. Now it has to respond like it did last season.Yahoo Sports - 19m -
Lexy Lowry leads BYU on Day 2 of NCAA indoor track championships
Lexy Lowry, a senior from Meridian, Idaho, placed third in the 3,000-meter run to boost BYU to a ninth-place finish on the women’s side at the NCAA indoor track and field championships in Virginia ...Yahoo Sports - 20m
More in Sports
-
Intriguing former Bengals player cut, heads to free agency
Should the Bengals have an interest in a reunion?Yahoo Sports - 12m -
FSU softball sweeps doubleheader from Pitt on alumni weekend
The Florida State softball team was back at JoAnne Graf Field for an ACC series opening weekend against Pittsburgh. Entering ACC play, the Seminoles had a 22-5 record and a No. 10 national ...Yahoo Sports - 12m -
Falcons keep Cousins, triggering bonus guarantee
The Falcons kept quarterback Kirk Cousins on their roster past 4 p.m. ET Saturday, triggering a guarantee on a $10 million roster bonus that is due in 2026.ESPN - 12m -
UNLV fires head coach Kruger after four seasons
UNLV has fired men's basketball coach Kevin Kruger after four seasons, the team announced Saturday.ESPN - 12m -
Smith-Schuster returning to Chiefs, sources say
Free agent wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is returning to the Kansas City Chiefs on a one-year deal.ESPN - 12m