Ohtani shines for Dodgers in season-opener 7-1 win vs St. Louis

Shohei Ohtani expressed gratitude for the warm reception he received in his debut home game in a Dodgers’ uniform, delivering a stellar performance in a 7-1 victory over St. Louis on Thursday, much to the delight of the sold-out Los Angeles crowd.

The Japanese sensation was met with thunderous applause as he was introduced at Chavez Ravine on a sunny day, and he reciprocated the fans’ support with an impressive display, reaching base three times with a single, double, and walk.

“I’m very grateful to be part of the Dodgers and to receive such a warm welcome from the fans,” Ohtani remarked. “Although I’ve been here before as an opponent player, it was a bit intimidating, but I’m thankful for the fans, and there were many of them.”

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In his initial at-bat, Ohtani, who has been involved in a betting scandal with his former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara, showcased his aggression, fouling off pitches before being thrown out attempting to stretch a double into a triple. However, Dodgers fans appreciated the effort from their new designated hitter, and Ohtani found solace in the support, especially after witnessing Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman both hitting homers in the third inning.

“I may have been the only one who couldn’t hit a homer, but overall, I felt I had a pretty good game today,” Ohtani reflected. He has maintained his innocence in the ongoing investigation by MLB into the betting scandal, asserting that he was a victim of theft and denying any wrongdoing.