Shohei Ohtani Outduels Aaron Judge as Dodgers Rally to Beat Yankees 8-5

Ohtani Shines in Dodgers’ Comeback Victory Over Yankees

The Los Angeles Dodgers overcame an early five-run deficit to defeat the New York Yankees 8-5, led by a dominant two-homer performance from Shohei Ohtani. In a matchup filled with fireworks, Ohtani and Aaron Judge etched their names into the record books by becoming the first reigning MVPs to homer in the first inning of the same game.

First Inning Heroics

• Judge launched his 19th home run of the season, sending a 446-foot bomb into center field off Tony Gonsolin.

• Ohtani responded immediately, smashing a 417-foot home run off Max Fried on his first pitch of the night.

Yankees Build a Lead—Only to Let It Slip Away

New York took early control with home runs from Austin Wells and Trent Grisham, followed by a solo shot from Paul Goldschmidt, putting the Yankees ahead 5-2 by the third inning.

But, as seen in Game 5 of last year's World Series, the Yankees struggled to hold their lead against the resilient Dodgers offense.

Dodgers Rally in the Sixth

Ohtani’s second home run sparked a four-run sixth inning, where the Dodgers batted around and took the lead:
✅ Teoscar Hernández & Will Smith singled, setting up Freeman's RBI double, chasing Fried from the game.
✅ Andy Pages tied the game with a clutch RBI single off Jonathan Loáisiga.
✅ With the bases loaded, Tim Hill walked Michael Conforto, forcing in the go-ahead run.

The Dodgers extended their lead to 8-5 in the seventh, thanks to Will Smith’s single, Freeman’s double, and Pages’ two-run hit.

Defensive Stand and Key Moments

✅ Tanner Scott came on in the eighth with runners at the corners, retiring pinch-hitter DJ LeMahieu to escape trouble.
✅ Dodgers reliever Alex Vesia pitched a clean ninth inning to secure his second save of the season.
✅ Gonsolin struggled, allowing four home runs, one shy of his team record set in 2023.

Up Next: Yankees vs. Dodgers Continues

The Dodgers and Yankees meet again on Saturday, with Yankees RHP Will Warren (3-2, 4.09 ERA) facing Dodgers RHP Landon Knack (2-2, 5.22 ERA).

With Ohtani locked in, can the Yankees bounce back and even the series?

Final Thoughts: Ohtani vs. Judge—A Rivalry to Watch

This game proved why Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge are two of MLB’s biggest stars. While both homered early, Ohtani powered the Dodgers’ comeback, delivering a performance reminiscent of past MVP greatness.

Will this matchup turn into a long-term battle of baseball’s elite hitters? Drop your thoughts below! ⚾🔥