Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani watches the flight of his three-run home run during the third inning of a game against the Washington Nationals on Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Dodgers starting pitcher Emmet Sheehan throws to the plate during the first inning of a game against the Washington Nationals on Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Washington Nationals starting pitcher Miles Mikolas throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the Dodgers, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts throws to first base for an out on a ball hit by Washington Nationals’ Luis García Jr. during the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages attempts to catch a double hit by the Washington Nationals’ James Wood during the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Dodgers starting pitcher Emmet Sheehan throws to the plate during the first inning of a game against the Washington Nationals on Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
The Washington Nationals’ CJ Abrams heads home after hitting a three-run home run in the first inning of their home opener baseball game against the Dodgers on Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
The Washington Nationals’ CJ Abrams, left, is greeted by teammates at the dugout after hitting a three run home run against the Dodgers during the first inning of an baseball game, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Dodgers starting pitcher Emmet Sheehan throws to the plate during the third inning of a game against the Washington Nationals on Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani (17) runs the bases after hitting a three-run home run during the third inning of an baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani (17) steps on home plate after hitting a three-run home run during the third inning of an baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani (17) is greeted in the dugout after hitting a three-run home run off Washington Nationals pitcher Miles Mikolas which also scored Teoscar Hernandez and Andy Pegas during the third inning of a baseball game, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Washington Nationals pitcher Miles Mikolas throws during the third inning of a baseball game against the Dodgers, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Dodgers star Mookie Betts hits a two-run home run against Washington Nationals during the third inning of an baseball game, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Dodgers star Mookie Betts, right, greets third base coach Dino Ebel after hitting a two-run home run against Washington Nationals during the third inning of an baseball game, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
The Washington Nationals’ Daylen Lile, left, slides safely into home plate while avoiding a tag by Dodgers catcher Will Smith, right, on a single hit by CJ Abrams off pitcher Emmet Sheehan during the third inning of a baseball game, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
The Dodgers’ Andy Pages, left, celebrates his two-run home run with teammate Teoscar Hernandez (37) during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a single during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani (17) gestures at first base after he singled during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Dodgers starting pitcher Emmet Sheehan throws to the plate during the second inning of a game against the Washington Nationals on Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages catches a fly ball hit by the Washington Nationals’ Keibert Ruiz for an out during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman celebrates his two-run home run with as he runs the bases during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman, left, celebrates his two-run home run with teammate Mookie Betts (50) during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Nationals starting pitcher Miles Mikolas walks back to the dugout after he was pulled during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Dodgers, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Nationals pitcher Gus Garland throws as the Dodgers’r Kyle Tucker bats during the fifth inning of an baseball game, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Dodgers starting pitcher Emmet Sheehan throws to the plate during the sixth inning of a game against the Washington Nationals on Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, left, and pitching coach Mark Prior, right, look on from the dugout during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Dodgers starting pitcher Emmet Sheehan throws to the plate during the sixth inning of a game against the Washington Nationals on Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
The Dodgers’ Kyle Tucker celebrates his home run as he runs the bases during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
The Dodgers’ Kyle Tucker gestures to his dugout as he runs the bases after hitting a home run during the seventh inning of their game against the Washington Nationals on Friday in Washington D.C. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages attempts to catch a double hit by the Washington Nationals’ Luis García Jr. during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Dodgers relief pitcher Ben Casparius throws to the plate during the ninth inning of a game against the Washington Nationals on Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a sacrifice fly, scoring Alex Call, during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, right, follows through on his swing after hitting a sacrifice fly that scored Alex Call off Washington Nationals pitcher Andre Granillo during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
The Dodgers’ Alex Call (12) scores a run on a sacrifice fly hit by Shohei Ohtani off Washington Nationals pitcher Andre Granillo (not shown) during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Washington Nationals third baseman Jorbit Vivas throws to first base for an out on a ball hit by the Dodgers’ Mookie Betts during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Dodgers relief pitcher Ben Casparius throws to the plate during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Dodgers relief pitcher Ben Casparius, left, celebrates with catcher Will Smith after the final out of the ninth inning in their 13-6 victory over the Washington Nationals on Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Mookie Betts (50) and Manager Dave Roberts (30) celebrate after a 13-6 victory over the Washington Nationals, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, right, celebrates after a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
An opening week logo is displayed on the playing field behind home plate before the Washington Nationals’ home opener against the Dodgers, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Fans filter into Nationals Park before a game between the Washington Nationals and the Dodgers, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto works out before a game against the Washington Nationals on Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto works out before a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto works out before a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman works out before a game against the Washington Nationals on Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts works out before a game against the Washington Nationals, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Fans filter into Nationals Park before the Washington Nationals’ home opener against the Dodgers, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Fans filter into Nationals Park before the Washington Nationals’ home opener baseball game against the Dodgers, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
An American flag is held across the field during the national anthem as F-16C Fighting Falcons do a flyover before the Washington Nationals’ home opener against the Dodgers on Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
The Washington Nationals, right, and the Dodgers, left, stand on the field as fighter jets fly overhead before the Nationals’ home opener on Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Nationals manager Blake Butera, right, shares hands with Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, left, before a baseball game, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani smiles during player introductions before a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, left, greets teammates during player introductions before a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani (17) smiles during introductions before a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, right, greets left fielder Teoscar Hernandez next to Manager Dave Roberts (30) during player introductions before a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Dodgers right fielder Kyle Tucker, left, greets teammates during player introductions before a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
A family enjoys food from the concession stand before the Washington Nationals’ home opener against the Dodgers, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, left, looks on next to manager Dave Roberts, right, before a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and Manager Dave Roberts, right, talk before a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
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Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani watches the flight of his three-run home run during the third inning of a game against the Washington Nationals on Friday, April 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
WASHINGTON — Any concerns about the Dodgers’ offense created by a prosaic homestand were long gone Friday afternoon.
Rude guests at the Washington Nationals’ home opener, the Dodgers hit five home runs in a 13-6 victory over the Nationals in the first game of a six-game road trip.
“Freddie called it earlier. He said that we’re wearing our spring training jerseys, so we’re going to start hitting again,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of the blue road jerseys with “Los Angeles” across the front – the first time in franchise history the team has worn that combination.
Each of the first four hitters in the Dodgers’ lineup – Shohei Ohtani, Kyle Tucker, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman – plus Andy Pages homered as the Dodgers scored more runs in their first road game of the season than they did in the final four games of the homestand combined (10). Eleven of them were charged to Nationals starter Miles Mikolas, a club record that he will be trying to work off his ERA all season now.
That foursome at the top of the Dodgers’ lineup had been less than fearsome on the homestand, combining for a .172 (15 for 87) start. They were 8 for 20 with 10 RBIs and six runs scored Friday.
“It’s a new day. That’s really it,” Betts said of the breakout. “Nobody in here is panicking. It’s been one week. That’s probably not going to be our last week where we don’t hit so you can’t get emotional. Just stay the course … understanding that it’s a long season. You can’t get too high or too low. Be yourself. Sometimes yourself is not very good and sometimes yourself is really good. That’s pretty much it. Just keep going.”
The most significant of the home runs might have been the first. Ohtani sent a three-run home run 401 feet into the right-field seats to start the Dodgers’ scoring in the third inning. It was his first extra-base hit of the season and turned things around after a 3-for-19 start.
“I think when Shohei plays well, I think that it’s a weight off everyone because he’s our best player, and for him to perform, I think that everyone falls in line,” Roberts said. “I know all those guys are happy to leave the ballpark today, and hopefully this spurs some more hits for Shohei, too.”
Tucker followed with a single, the first of his three hits in the game and his first multi-hit game as a Dodger, and Betts drove the Dodgers’ second home run of the game over the left-field wall. The five-run burst was the Dodgers’ biggest inning of the season.
They piled on from there. Pages hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning then Freeman did the same in the fifth. The Dodgers batted around that inning, scoring twice more on RBI singles from Teoscar Hernandez (one of his three hits in the game) and Tucker. Tucker’s third hit of the game was his first home run as a Dodger, a solo shot in the seventh inning.
“Just trying to feel more comfortable in the box,” said Tucker, who started 4 for 23 on the homestand with nine strikeouts. “I feel like I’ve been kind of fouling off pitches over the plate more than I normally do and striking out more than I normally do – probably because I fouled off some pitches and get into worse counts. Just downhill from there. Doesn’t really work out for me. So not trying to foul those balls off and put them forward. That worked out well today, just try to swing at good pitches and barrel them up.”
One theme from the homestand did continue in Washington. For the sixth time in seven games, the Dodgers’ opponent scored first and the Dodgers were down multiple runs before they scored their first.
Starter Emmet Sheehan gave up a rocket double – 109.8 mph off James Wood’s bat – on his first pitch of the game, walked a batter with two outs then gave up a three-run home run to C.J. Abrams.
“Obviously that’s not how you want to start a game at all,” Sheehan said. “But I think after that, Will (Smith) did a great job of keeping them off-balance with the pitches he was calling. And we got through it.”
The Dodgers’ offensive outburst smoothed away that rocky start. Sheehan allowed another run in the third inning but made it through 5⅔ innings, allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks. He struck out just two and continued to show a drop in his velocity this season. After averaging 95.4 mph on his fastball in 2023 and 95.6 mph in his return from Tommy John surgery last season, Sheehan’s fastball averaged 93.8 mph in Friday’s start.
Roberts said he would focus on “the way (Sheehan’s start) ended” and not the rough first inning.
“I think today was a step in the right direction,” Roberts said. “He looked like a major-league starter, and not a guy that’s cutting his teeth.”