The Los Angeles Dodgers, who entered the season as the World Series favorite, are off to a promising start in the first-ever regular season MLB game in South Korea.
The Dodgers rallied for four runs in the eighth inning to win their season opener 5-2 against the San Diego Padres at Gocheok Sky Dome in the first of of two games in Seoul, South Korea.
Shohei Ohtani, the $700 million man who made his Dodgers debut, recorded his first hit, stolen base and RBI of the season.
An equipment malfunction in the eighth inning contributed to Dodgers rally.
With the bases loaded, a Gavin Lux ground ball went through the webbing of first baseman Jake Cronenworth's glove that scored the go-ahead run. The Dodgers didn't look back and scored two more runs off RBI singles from Mookie Betts and Ohtani.
MLB SALARIES: Baseball's top 25 highest-paid players in 2024
Game 2 of the Seoul Series is Thursday at 6 a.m. ET.
Here's a recap of the season opener:
Dodgers reliever Evan Phillips needed only 12 pitches to close out the Padres in order in the ninth inning to secure their opening-day victory in Seoul, South Korea.
Dodgers 5, Padres 2 — Final.
Shades of 2023.
Just like last season, the Padres are not able to close out games in the late innings. The Dodgers scored four runs off the Padres bullpen in the eighth to take a 5-2 commanding lead.
The inning began to unravel when a Gavin Lux ground ball went through the webbing of first baseman Jake Cronenworth's glove that scored the go-ahead run. The Dodgers tacked on two more runs – including an RBI single from Mookie Betts and Shohei Ohtani – to take a 5-2 lead.
A baserunning mistake by Ohtani ended the odd inning. Ohtani failed to re-touch second base before running back to first on the flyout by Freddie Freeman to double him up.
Dodgers 5, Padres 2 — End of eighth inning.
Tyler Glasnow's day is over.
He was removed after five innings and allowed two earned runs in his Dodgers' debut. His command wasn't great as he allowed four walks and two hits on 77 pitches.
Ryan Brasier, who recorded a 1-2-3 inning on 11 pitches, is in for the sixth for the Dodgers.
Padres 2, Dodgers 1 — End of the sixth inning.
The Dodgers took advantage of the error by third baseman Tyler Wade to start the inning and tied the game 1-1 on Jason Heyward's sacrifice fly that scored Teoscar Hernández. Yu Darvish was removed after 72 pitches and three strikeouts and no earned runs.
But the Padres responded in the bottom half of the inning. Luis Campusano drove in Manny Machado on a fielder's choice to take a 2-1 lead. Tyler Glasnow faced a bases loaded jam with no outs, but only allowed one run.
Padres 2, Dodgers 1 — End of the fourth inning.
The Padres scored the first run of the 2024 season thanks to Xander Bogaerts, who drove in Tyler Wade in the third inning. Wade led off with a walk, then moved to second on a wild pitch and to third on a flyout by rookie Jackson Merrill, setting up Bogaerts’ single.
Padres 1, Dodgers 0 — End of the third inning.
The Dodgers threatened to score in the third inning.
Shohei Ohtani, baseball's highest-paid player, picked up his first hit as a Dodger – a 112.3 mph shot off the bat to right field with two outs. He immediately stole second base on the first pitch to Freddie Freeman.
Freeman and Will Smith both walked to load the bases, but Yu Darvish was able to get out of the inning by striking out Max Muncy.
Dodgers 0, Padres 0 — Middle of the third inning.
Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy delivered the first base hit of the 2024 season after working a 3-ball count off Padres' Yu Darvish. But the Dodgers were unable to capitalize. In the bottom half of the inning, Tyler Glasnow worked around a two-out walk to Jurickson Profar to pitch another scoreless inning. The score remained 0-0 after two innings.
Dodgers 0, Padres 0 — End of the second inning.
After a leadoff walk that culminated with a pitch-clock violation to Mookie Betts, Padres starter Yu Darvish retired the next three batters. Shohei Othani grounded into a fielders choice, Freddie Freeman struck out and Will Smith flied out to left field to end the top of the first inning.
Tyler Glasnow, making his regular-season debut as the Dodgers’ opening-day starter, shut the Padres down 1-2-3.
Dodgers 0, Padres 0 — End of the first inning.
The Dodgers and Padres opener in Seoul, South Korea will go on as scheduled after a bomb threat against Los Angeles superstar Shohei Ohtani and others, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Authorities in Seoul identified the perpetrator as a person with a history of false claims. A spokesman for MLB said the game will proceed as planned.
MLB will continue monitoring the situation:
“The safety and security of our fans and everyone in the ballparks where we play are always our first priority,” the league said in a statement. “MLB Security works closely with local officials to ensure a safe environment for all those who attend our games. MLB, along with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency and other local officials, will continue to monitor the situation closely and take any appropriate steps throughout the event.”
Chan Ho Park, who was the first Korean player to play in the major leagues, throws out the ceremonial first pitch to Padres shortstop Ha-Seong Kim.
The Dodgers vs. Padres game in Seoul, South Korea begins at 6 a.m. ET on Wednesday.
Wednesday's Dodgers vs. Padres game will air on ESPN, getting underway at 6 a.m. ET.
The Dodgers lineup is posted and it features three former MVPs batting 1-2-3 − SS Mookie Betts, DH Shohei Ohtani, 1B Freddie Freeman.
For the Padres, top prospect Jackson Merrill starts in centerfield, making his MLB debut at just 20-years-old. Merrill joins only Ken Griffey Jr. and Andruw Jones as players in the last 50 years to start Opening Day in centerfield before turning 21.
A look at the two lineups:
The Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul is hosting the Dodgers vs. Padres games on Wednesday and Thursday. It's the home ballpark of the KBO's Kiwoom Heroes.
Here are the stadium dimensions:
After signing a $700 million contract – the largest in North American pro sports history – Shohei Ohtani will make his regular season debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday in Seoul.
Ohtani, a two-time MVP with the Los Angeles Angels, won't pitch in 2024 as he recovers from elbow surgery but will be the Dodgers' everyday designated hitter as the team seeks its 12th consecutive postseason appearance.
Ohtani joins a loaded Los Angeles lineup that also features former MVPs in Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman.
San Diego shortstop Ha-Seong Kim is back in his come country for MLB's Seoul Series, returning to the Gocheok Sky Dome where he formerly played his home games for the KBO's Nexen/Kiwoom Heroes.
Kim made his debut at age 19 and spent seven seasons with the Korean team, batting .294 with an .866 OPS, averaging more than 20 home runs. He joined the Padres prior to the 2021 season and won his first MLB Gold Glove award last season.
“I think that this is only possible because of the former Asian players who played in the big leagues,” Kim told reporters in Seoul this week. “They kind of paved the way for me and other Asian players who are going now. … Hopefully, that will inspire more Asian baseball players to dream that they can play in the big leagues.”
MLB's official Opening Day with all 30 teams in action is scheduled for Thursday, March 28.
Here's the full schedule for March 28 (all times Eastern):
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