WASHINGTON, DC — Remember that thing that everybody was saying about how the Dodger offense was terrible in the early part of this season? Maybe let’s pump the brakes on that one. Led by the first home run of the season from Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers blasted Nationals pitching for five home runs en route to an 11-4 win, spoiling the Nats’ Home Opener. Nats fans were bummed, but to Dodgers fans, this game was music to their ears.

Sheehan’s Rough Start

With the Dodgers sporting their new alternate blue road jerseys, Emmet Sheehan got the start in this one, and for a hot minute, it looked like he might not even make it out of the first inning. After the Dodgers went down in order in the top of the first, the Nationals got right to work on Sheehan. James Wood hit a leadoff double on Sheehan’s first offering of the game, and just like that, the Nats were cooking.

Sheehan got a couple of outs on the infield, and it looked like he might be on the verge of getting out of the inning, but it wasn’t to be. He walked the DH Brady House, which brought up good-looking shortstop C.J. Abrams. He got a high-and-away four seamer from Sheehan and smashed it into right field, well over the head of Kyle Tucker and the fence for a three-run home run. Oh goody. The Dodgers are behind early again.

Shohei Evens It Up

However, that lead would not last for long. The Dodgers went down in order in the second, but in the top of the third, they got things going in a big way. Teoscar Hernandez led off with a single, and then Andy Pages walked. Alex Freeland struck out, which turned the lineup over for Shohei Ohtani. Shohei, who came into the game still looking for his first extra base hit, put a quick end to that talking point. He teed off on a changeup from Nats starter Miles Mikolas, depositing the ball ten rows back in the right field stands. It was Shohei’s first homer of the year, and Dodger fans everywhere breathed a sigh of relief.

Betts Goes Yard to Open the Floodgates

After Kyle Tucker singled to keep the third inning going, it was Mookie Betts‘ turn to go long fly. Mikolas gave Mookie a center-cut sinker that the Mook blasted into left centerfield. His second home run of the year put the Dodgers in the lead to stay.

The Dodgers’ home run barrage was just getting started. Andy Pages hit a two-run jack in the fourth to double the Dodgers’ lead, and Freddie Freeman hit a two-run job of his own in the fifth to make it a 9-4 game. Teoscar Hernandez got the Dodgers to double digits with an RBI double in the fifth, and Kyle Tucker followed it up with a run-scoring single.

Furthermore, Tucker outdid himself in the seventh with a solo shot, bringing the Dodger lead to 12-4. Then, in the ninth, the Dodgers loaded up the bases for Shohei Ohtani. He gave the ball a ride to center, but it fell a little short of the fence. Still, it was a sacrifice fly for his fourth RBI of the afternoon. In all, it was a glorious day for the Dodgers’ offense: 13 runs on 16 hits. That, my friends, is what I’m talking about.

Sheehan Lasts 5.2

Meanwhile, while all this offense was going on, Emmet Sheehan was pitching himself to his first win of the season. Beyond the Abrams homer, Sheehan only gave up on other run, and managed to give the team some much needed length. In relief, Edgardo Henriquez gave up a couple of runs, but the rest of the pen was nails.

Great day for the Dodgers, who look to get a little momentum after the two-game mini losing streak. Tyler Glasnow will be looking for his first win of the year on Saturday afternoon. He locks horns with Jake Irvin, who pitched well in his first start of the year. First pitch on Saturday will be 1:05 PDT. See you there!

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