Shohei Ohtani hit his 30th HR and Yoshinobu Yamamoto dazzled as the Dodgers routed the White Sox 6-1 on July 2. See how the superstars led the charge.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was the kind of night at Chavez Ravine that reminds you just how dangerous this Dodgers team can be. Behind a masterful performance from Yoshinobu Yamamoto and another history-making blast from Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers jumped on the Chicago White Sox early and never let up, cruising to a comfortable 6-1 win on Wednesday.
With his 30th home run, Shohei Ohtani has now reached that milestone in five consecutive seasons, a testament to his unparalleled consistency and power at the plate.
The Dodgers wasted no time putting this game out of reach. The offense came out swinging, hanging a four-spot on the White Sox in the very first inning. The rally was fueled by clutch, situational hitting, highlighted by a sharp two-run double from the ever-impressive Andy Pages and a two-RBI single from veteran Michael Conforto. That early cushion allowed Yamamoto to settle in and pitch with confidence, effectively ending the competitive phase of the game before many fans had even found their seats.
While the first inning was a team effort, the rest of the night belonged to the Dodgers' international superstars. Yoshinobu Yamamoto was simply brilliant on the mound, carving up the White Sox lineup with precision and poise to earn the win. But the biggest roar from the 50,000-plus in attendance came in the fourth inning. Shohei Ohtani launched a towering solo shot, his 30th home run of the season. The blast not only extended the lead to 6-1 but also marked Ohtani's fifth straight season with 30 or more homers, a stunning display of consistent excellence.
It wasn't all smooth sailing on the news front. The team officially placed righty Michael Kopech on the 15-day injured list for undisclosed reasons, a move retroactive to June 28. To fill the spot, the Dodgers recalled reliever Will Klein, a recent acquisition from Seattle, hoping he can provide a fresh arm for the bullpen. While losing Kopech stings, there's positive news on the long-term injury front. Brusdar Graterol is reportedly throwing and could begin a rehab assignment in August, a massive potential boost for the stretch run. Even Kyle Hurt, recovering from Tommy John, is back to throwing bullpens, offering a glimmer of hope for a late-season return.
Wednesday's win was a perfect formula: dominant starting pitching, early offense, and a historic moment from a superstar. While the bullpen remains a work in progress with the latest Kopech news, the potential return of arms like Graterol provides hope for the second half. For now, the Dodgers will savor a decisive victory and look to carry this momentum forward as they continue their push through July.
