Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto throws to the plate during the first inning of a game against the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Cleveland Guardians’ Daniel Schneemann slides safely into second base after hitting a double as Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts applies a late tag during the first inning on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Gavin Williams throws to the plate during the first inning of a game against the Dodgers on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Cleveland Guardians shortstop Gabriel Arias throws to first base to complete a double play after forcing out Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani (17) at second base during the first inning on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages makes a catch on a ball hit by the Cleveland Guardians’ Bo Naylor during the second inning on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Gavin Williams throws to the plate during the first inning of a game against the Dodgers on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto throws to the plate during the fifth inning of a game against the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto gathers himself after giving up a home run to the Cleveland Guardians’ Gabriel Arias during the third inning on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Cleveland Guardians’ Gabriel Arias, right, is congratulated by teammate Brayan Rocchio after hitting a solo home run during the third inning of a game against the Dodgers on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Cleveland Guardians’ Gabriel Arias celebrates in the dugout after hitting a home run during the third inning of a game against the Dodgers on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Cleveland Guardians’ Daniel Schneemann slides into second base after hitting a double before Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts can apply a tag during the third inning on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Cleveland Guardians’ Daniel Schneemann, right, celebrates as he returns to the dugout after scoring on a throwing error by Dodgers catcher Will Smith during the third inning on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts, top, throws to first base to complete a double play after forcing out the Cleveland Guardians’ Jose Ramirez, bottom, at second during the fourth inning on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Cleveland Guardians’ Angel Martinez writhes on the ground after being hit by a pitch as Dodgers catcher Will Smith looks on during the sixth inning on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Cleveland Guardians’ Angel Martinez is tended to by trainers after being hit by a pitch from Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto during the sixth inning on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts throws to first base to complete a double play during the sixth inning of a game against the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Cleveland Guardians’ Steven Kwan, right, is tagged out by Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts as he tries to steal second base during the eighth inning on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Cleveland Guardians’ Steven Kwan, right, is tagged out by Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts as he tries to steal second base during the eighth inning on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts hurdles over the Cleveland Guardians’ Steven Kwan after he tagged him out on a stolen base attempt during the eighth inning on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Cleveland Guardians’ Steven Kwan, left, is tagged out by Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts as he tries to steal second base during the eighth inning on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Cleveland Guardians’ Jose Ramirez, right, celebrates after hitting a two-run homer during the eighth inning of a game against the Dodgers on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani strikes out swinging during the eighth inning of a game against the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani walks back to the dugout after striking out on three consecutive curveballs during the eighth inning of a 4-1 loss to the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani returns to the dugout after striking out swinging during the eighth inning of a game against the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Cleveland Guardians center fielder Daniel Schneemann can’t reach a ball that was hit for a solo home run by the Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman during the ninth inning on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman is greeted by teammates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the ninth inning of a game against the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani takes batting practice before a game against the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani takes batting practice before a game against the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Players and fans watch the Artemis II rocket lift off on the videoboard before a game between the Dodgers and the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani takes batting practice before a game against the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani warns people after hitting a foul ball as he takes batting practice before a game against the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, left, talks with teammate Kiké Hernández as he takes batting practice before a game against the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani takes batting practice before a game against the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, right, looks over at members of the Cleveland Guardians as he takes batting practice before a game against the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani throws into the ground as he waits his turn during batting practice before a game against the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani tosses balls in the bin after taking batting practice before a game against the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto is greeted by teammates in the dugout before a game against the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Show Caption
1 of 37
Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto throws to the plate during the first inning of a game against the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
LOS ANGELES — One day after rain arrived at Dodger Stadium, a complete chill enveloped the Dodgers’ offense on Wednesday.
Early-season offensive woes only grew larger as the Cleveland Guardians made themselves at home in the brisk conditions with a 4-1 victory to close out a three-game series.
After sweeping the Arizona Diamondbacks in the opening series of the season, when the Dodgers had to rally from 2-0 deficits in all three games, they scored just seven total runs in three days against the Guardians.
Cleveland right-hander Gavin Williams put on a show with 10 strikeouts over seven scoreless innings, marking his fifth career game of double-digit Ks. It was the former first-round draft pick’s 65th career start over four seasons.
As good as Williams has shown he can be, how does an offense with so many elite players find itself in a collective funk?
“Obviously, you’re asking a question to compartmentalize the offense to the team. And I want to start with, we’re 4-2, so that’s a good thing,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “But yeah, it’s obviously a very talented lineup, and right now, it just seems like a lot of guys are in-between.
“I think you still got to give credit to the guys making pitches. I think that we’ll get in our groove.”
Andy Pages had three hits for the Dodgers, but the rest of the lineup was left to admire his handiwork. Shohei Ohtani, Kyle Tucker, Mooke Betts and Freddie Freeman combined to go 1 for 14.
Freeman had the hit, a shutout-busting home run with two outs in the ninth inning, his first of the season. Will Smith struck out three times from the No. 5 spot and flew out to deep center to end the game.
“I think you can talk to every single one of us and (we would) say we wish we had a better offensive first week,” Freeman said. “But I think our offense is inevitable. Hopefully maybe tomorrow with the off day, the coldness will go away and we’ll heat up on Friday in the day (at Washington).”
The afternoon forecast in the nation’s capital Friday does call for high temperatures of 81 degrees.
The only source of pride for the Dodgers on Wednesday was their place in MLB history by starting a Japanese-born pitcher for the third consecutive game. All three fared well, with Roki Sasaki giving up one run on four hits over four innings in a loss on Monday night, while Shohei Ohtani gave up one hit over six scoreless innings of a victory on Tuesday night.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto became the first Dodgers pitcher to make two starts this season and allowed two runs on four hits over six innings with two strikeouts. It was the first time he struck out less than three batters while pitching at least four innings for the Dodgers.
“Certain pitches like the splitter, I think I still need to clean up,” Yamamoto said through an interpreter. “But overall my stuff was not bad, like I said. I was able to work into the sixth inning.”
Roberts, himself of Japanese heritage, was ecstatic to be part of the accomplishment from Sasaki, Ohtani and Yamamoto.
“That’s fantastic. I’m very honored,” Roberts said. “These guys are three great men. They’re all different. But this is just a special time in Major League Baseball, certainly with the Japanese players that we’re fortunate to have, and players around the league of all nationalities. But yeah, it’s an honor to know that I manage these three guys.”
As tepid as the Dodgers’ offense looked, especially while striking out a season-high 12 times, the Guardians scored just two more runs in the three games and managed to pull out two victories.
“Credit to our pitching staff. There’s a reason why we’re 4-2 right now,” Freeman said. “Yoshi was great again, bullpen was good. We just didn’t get anything going offensively.”
With Williams out of the game, the Dodgers got to work against Guardians right-hander Shawn Armstrong in the eighth. Teoscar Hernandez singled with one out and Pages followed with a double to put runners at second and third.
But Alex Freeland struck out looking against Armstrong and Ohtani struck out on three consecutive curveballs from left-hander Erik Sabrowski. Ohtani finished 0 for 3 with two strikeouts and appeared to be nursing right hand or wrist discomfort after the strikeout in the eighth.
“I saw that, too, so I’ll get a report,” Roberts said.
Ohtani is now 3 for 18 (.167) on the season, and all three hits are singles.
After hitting just four home runs through their first six games, and all from rookie Chase DeLauter, the Guardians added two on Wednesday. Gabriel Arias hit a home run in the third inning against Yamamoto and Jose Ramirez went deep against Tanner Scott in the eighth.
While the Guardians have six home runs in seven games, the Dodgers have eight homers through six games.
“I think right now, offensively, most of our guys are scuffling,” Roberts said. “It’ll be good to get on the road, get an off day, and get going from there.”