Dodgers Riding High: Ohtani, Yamamoto Shine as Kim Makes MLB Splash
Los Angeles wins 8 of last 10 with help from new talent and record-breaking performances
By Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer
The Los Angeles Dodgers are on a roll, posting an 8-2 record over their last 10 games at press time. The hot streak includes series wins over Pittsburgh and Atlanta, along with a sweep of the Miami Marlins.
In a recent game at LoanDepot Park, Shohei Ohtani made history yet again, becoming the first MLB player this season to reach double digits in both home runs and stolen bases. He tied the game in the sixth inning with a towering shot into the right-field upper deck — his 10th homer of the season.
Ohtani, through 34 games, is on pace for a remarkable 47-home run, 47-stolen base season — historic numbers by any measure, though he’s already raised the bar with last year’s 50-50 campaign. That season ended with his third MVP award, a World Series title, and a near Triple Crown.
Yamamoto Dominates Braves
Against the Braves, Yoshinobu Yamamoto dazzled again, allowing just one hit through six scoreless innings. Mookie Betts chipped in with his fifth homer of the season, helping secure a 2-1 Dodgers win.
Austin Riley broke up the no-hit bid with a sixth-inning double, but Yamamoto (4-2) still lowered his ERA to a league-best 0.90. Over seven starts, the right-hander has given up just four earned runs on 24 hits and 13 walks across 40 innings. He has not allowed more than five hits in any start this season.
The stellar performance follows Yamamoto being named National League Pitcher of the Month for March/April — the first Dodger to earn the honor since Clayton Kershaw in April 2023. In six starts over the stretch, he posted a 1.06 ERA with 43 strikeouts in 34 innings.
Hyeseong Kim Makes Impressive Debut
Newcomer Hyeseong Kim also made headlines this week. In Monday’s win over Miami, Kim went 2-for-4 with an RBI, scored a run, and stole a base in his first MLB start.
After debuting as a pinch-runner on Sunday, Kim made an immediate impact. He singled and stole second in the fifth inning before scoring on Ohtani’s homer. Kim had been tearing it up with Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he posted a .798 OPS with 14 extra-base hits and 13 stolen bases in 13 attempts across 28 games.
Kim’s teammates were quick to praise the young infielder.
“Just an amazing performance by Kim,” said Ohtani. “Really good, just overall. Even yesterday, as well. So I’m very happy for him.”
Freddie Freeman added, “He can move around. He’s fast. He’s getting some hits. Made some adjustments from spring training. It’s nice to see that pay off for a guy getting his first hits in the big leagues. He could be a nice little weapon down there.”
Kim was called up to replace Tommy Edman, who was placed on the injured list.
