Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers strikes out against the Los Angeles Angels in the fourth inning of an exhibition baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Yoshihiro Sonoda interpreter for pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto smiles during a exhibition baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Relief pitcher Michael Grove #78 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws to the plate agains the Los Angeles Angels in the fifth inning of a exhibition baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Relief pitcher Michael Grove #78 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws to the plate agains the Los Angeles Angels in the fifth inning of a exhibition baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Yoshihiro Sonoda interpreter for pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto smiles during a exhibition baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Yoshihiro Sonoda interpreter for pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto smiles during a exhibition baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Will Smith #26 of the Los Angeles Dodgers high fives teammates after scores on a double by teammate Jason Heyward (not pictured) against the Los Angeles Angels in the second inning of a exhibition baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Jason Heyward #23 high fives teammate Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers after both scored on a RBI single by teammate Gavin Lux (not pictured) against the Los Angeles Angels in the second inning of a exhibition baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers strikes out against the Los Angeles Angels in the fourth inning of an exhibition baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Jason Heyward of the Los Angeles Dodgers high fives teammates after scoring on a RBI single by teammate Gavin Lux (not pictured) against the Los Angeles Angels in the second inning of a exhibition baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers at bat against the Los Angeles Angels in the second inning of a exhibition baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Jason Heyward of the Los Angeles Dodgers high fives teammates after scoring on a RBI single by teammate Gavin Lux (not pictured) against the Los Angeles Angels in the second inning of a exhibition baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Yoshinobu Yamamoto #18 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on against the Los Angeles Angels in the second inning of a exhibition baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on against the Los Angeles Angels in the third inning of an exhibition baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on against the Los Angeles Angels in the third inning of an exhibition baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Jason Heyward #23 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after a RBI double against the Los Angeles Angels in the second inning of a exhibition baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Jason Heyward #23 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a RBI double against the Los Angeles Angels in the second inning of a exhibition baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Gavin Lux #9 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a RBI single against the Los Angeles Angels in the second inning of a exhibition baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers moves to third base on a double by teammate Jason Heyward (not pictured) against the Los Angeles Angels in the second inning of a exhibition baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on against the Los Angeles Angels in the second inning of a exhibition baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Yoshinobu Yamamoto #18 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on against the Los Angeles Angels in the second inning of a exhibition baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Photographers look on as Shohei Ohtani (not pictured) of the Los Angeles Dodgers bats against the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning of an exhibition baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Mookie Betts #50 of the the Los Angeles Dodgers hits against the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning of a exhibition baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers greets former teammates of the Los Angeles Angels Mike Trout and Mickey Moniak #16 prior to an exhibition baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Starting pitcher Bobby Miller #28 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws to the plate against the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning of a exhibition baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Starting pitcher Bobby Miller #28 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws to the plate against the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning of a exhibition baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Shortstop Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers catches a pop up by Mike Trout (not pictured) of the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning of a exhibition baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers acknowledges the Los Angeles Angels prior to his at bat in the first inning of an exhibition baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Starting pitcher Griffin Canning #47 of the Los Angeles Angels throws to the plate against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning of a exhibition baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers acknowledges the Los Angeles Angels prior to his at bat in the first inning of an exhibition baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Starting pitcher Griffin Canning #47 of the Los Angeles Angels throws to the plate against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning of a exhibition baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers greets former teammates of the Los Angeles Angels Mike Trout prior to an exhibition baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers greets former teammates of the Los Angeles Angels Mike Trout, Mickey Moniak #16 and Aaron Hicks #12 prior to an exhibition baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers greets former teammates of the Los Angeles Angels Mike Trout and Mickey Moniak #16 prior to an exhibition baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the National anthem prior to an exhibition baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers greets former teammates of the Los Angeles Angels Mike Trout, Mickey Moniak #16 and Aaron Hicks #12 prior to an exhibition baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Miguel Rojas of the Los Angeles Dodgers with his son Aaron prior to a exhibition baseball game against he Los Angeles Angels at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers makes his way back to the dugout prior to an exhibition baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Manager Ron Washington of the Los Angeles Angels prior to a exhibition baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers greets former teammates of the Los Angeles Angels prior to an exhibition baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers greets former teammates of the Los Angeles Angels prior to an exhibition baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers makes his way back to the dugout prior to an exhibition baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
of the Los Angeles Dodgers of the Los Angeles Angels in the xxx inning of a exhibition baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Manager Ron Washington of the Los Angeles Angels prior to a exhibition baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Manager Ron Washington of the Los Angeles Angels prior to a exhibition baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
LOS ANGELES — Sandwiched between starting the regular season in South Korea and their home opener on Thursday, the Freeway Series could have been a chance for the Dodgers to relax.
Instead, they stayed locked in, with Bobby Miller throwing 4 2/3 scoreless innings and Gavin Lux getting two RBI in a 5-3 win over the Angels on Sunday.
“You played two regular season games, you don’t want to lose that intensity going into that Cardinals series,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
Miller had been told he would start on Friday in the second game of the four-game series with St. Louis. He followed up the announcement with a strong outing, which could be all the more important if 25-year-old Japanese import Yoshinobu Yamamoto needs time to acclimate.
“I think I’m taking the right steps to be where I needed to be,” Miller said. “Changeup wasn’t too good early in the game, but I picked it up a little bit later in the game.”
The Dodgers’ bats came to life with four runs in the second inning. Jason Heyward doubled to the warning track, driving in Will Smith for the opening run. Lux followed it up with a two-run single, and Freddie Freeman drew a bases-loaded walk.
Angels starter Griffin Canning had to work from behind because of two instances of spotty control. He hit Smith in the left shoulder to start the second before getting pulled for Hayden Seig, and Canning hit Teoscar Hernandez on the left elbow to begin the third after reentering the game.
“I felt like I had most of my pitches working for me, but those guys are such good hitters, you just got to keep mixing it up and keep them on their toes,” Canning said.
Shohei Ohtani’s first home exhibition game in blue at Dodger Stadium was a nondescript affair, though his first at-bat featured a brief taste of the excitement expected from the $700 million two-way star.
After walking up to Bruno Mars’ “24K Magic” and its declaration that “it’s show time,” Ohtani made contact on the second pitch he saw. The fly ball initially drews oohs before turning into disappointed ahhs falling into the glove of left fielder Taylor Ward.
Ohtani went 0-for-2 with a walk and a strikeout.
“It was fun,” Canning said of facing his former teammate. “Obviously really good to see him. I think once you get in the game, you’re competitive. Like I don’t want to give up a hit to him, and her wants to get a hit off me.”
The bigger news from Ohtani came before the game when it was confirmed he would address the allegations involving illegal gambling and theft around his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, for the first time on Monday.
They will be Ohtani’s first public remarks since Mizuhara was fired on Wednesday for allegedly betting on sports through an illegal bookmaker.
The Angeles made it interesting with three runs in the seventh inning. Zach Neto, Miguel Sano, and Jake Marisnick each had an RBI.
But the Dodgers pushed their cushion to 5-3 on a sacrifice fly by Kike Hernandez that allowed Trey Sweeney to score.
