The Los Angeles Dodgers seized a commanding 2-0 lead in the World Series with a 4-2 victory over the New York Yankees on Saturday, although a concerning injury to Japanese star Shohei Ohtani cast a shadow over the win.
Tommy Edman, Teoscar Hernandez, and Freddie Freeman all hit home runs, supported by a strong pitching performance from Yoshinobu Yamamoto, helping the Dodgers secure the win at Dodger Stadium. They head into game three of the best-of-seven series on Monday with a strong advantage.
However, the post-game mood was dampened by Ohtani’s injury in the seventh inning while attempting to steal second base. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated that Ohtani suffered a “little left shoulder subluxation,” which is a partial dislocation, and noted that an MRI would be conducted to assess the injury’s severity.
Roberts mentioned that the medical staff felt “encouraged” by Ohtani’s range of motion and strength, expressing optimism that he would be able to play again in the series. “I’m expecting him to be there. I’m expecting him to be in the lineup,” he stated when asked about the team’s capability without Ohtani.
A serious injury to Ohtani would be a significant setback for the Dodgers, who signed him last December to a record 10-year, $700 million contract. “He’s the best player in the game, and to see him on the ground in pain, it’s not a good feeling,” said Edman, while expressing hope for a quick recovery.
The Dodgers followed up Friday’s tense extra-innings win with a more controlled performance against the Yankees. Starter Yamamoto effectively shut down New York’s strong lineup, allowing just one hit over 6.1 innings.
This victory gives the Dodgers momentum and historical context, as teams that win the first two games of a best-of-seven postseason series have triumphed 77 out of 92 times in MLB history.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone acknowledged the challenge ahead: “No one said it’s going to be easy. It’s a long series, and we need to make it a long series now. We won’t flinch.”
Unlike Friday’s dramatic win, Saturday’s game was largely comfortable for the Dodgers, despite a tense ninth inning when the Yankees loaded the bases.
Edman opened the scoring with a towering home run in the second inning, followed by Yankees star Juan Soto’s equalizer in the third. The Dodgers then took control in the third inning, with Hernandez hitting a two-run homer and Freeman adding another, signaling the end of Yankees starter Carlos Rodon’s night.
The Yankees made a late push when Stanton drove in a run in the ninth, but Dodgers reliever Alex Vesia closed out the game, securing the win.
