Dodgers Win 2024 Opener

Dodgers Win Opener in Korea

By David A. Avila

Shohei Ohtani led the Dodgers to victory and showed South Korea and Major League Baseball a glimpse of the future alongside a stacked lineup after a slow start on Tuesday.

Of course, Dodger pitching remained impressive.

Featuring numerous new faces in the Los Angeles Dodger lineup, starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow pitched five innings and the bullpen shut out the San Diego Padres the remainder of the game in a 5-2 win on Opening Day in Seoul, South Korea.

But all eyes were on the new batting lineup featuring baseball’s greatest player Ohtani and new pickup Teoscar Hernandez along with Gavin Lux who missed all last year due to injury. The Dodgers staged nine players with no weaknesses, but still had problems scoring with runners on the bases.

Then came the big break.

With runners on first and second a hard hit one-hop grounder by Lux ripped through the glove webbing of infielder Jake Cronenworth and allowed a runner to score. From that point on the shackles were off and Dodger hitters were locked in.

The Dodgers were like piranhas smelling blood and going into a frenzy ripping first pitches into the outfield by Mookie Betts and Ohtani. All total four runs scored in the inning.

For most of the game the San Diego Padres pitching kept the Dodger offensive machine disjointed and out of sync. In particular, Will Smith seemed off and Kike Hernandez was lost against the slow stuff tossed by Yuki Matsui.

Once the Dodgers smelt blood the offensive pistons were humming and you could see the Padres eyes realize their moment had passed.

After Glasnow departed allowing two runs and two hits in five innings, the Dodger bullpen proceeded to showcase why every year regardless of the name changes, the team from Los Angeles always stays within striking distance. This time the Dodger hurlers did not allow a run.

“We really push each other every day,” said Evan Phillips the bullpen closer for the Dodgers. “We take it one day at a time.”

New Dodger outfielder Teoscar Hernandez who last year played for Seattle Mariners, lined a single to center in the breakout eighth inning. It was his first hit for the L.A. team that is picked to repeat as the Western Division winner.

“Our job is just to get some runs and win the game,” Hernandez said.

Of course, Ohtani led the way with two hits and a stolen base. During one at bat he blasted a ball foul that had legendary distance. His speed also causes a problem for opposing teams that have not played against him. Few if any in baseball can match his speed going to first base on a groundball.

This is just the first game of the year but expectations are already sky high for the Dodgers who have seven World Series titles and numerous pennants.

“They got a nice lineup,” said Padre manager Mike Shildt. “They put good professional at bats one through nine.”