In the Tokyo opening, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani lead the Dodgers past the Cubs.
Tokyo -- The defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Chicago Cubs 4-1 on Tuesday in Major League Baseball's season opening at the Tokyo Dome with to five solid innings from Yoshinobu Yamamoto and two singles and two runs from Shohei Ohtani.
In the first-ever all-Japanese Opening Day starting pitching showdown in MLB history, Yamamoto and Cubs lefty Shota Imanaga both pitched well in front of their home country. Imanaga pitched four scoreless innings while walking four and giving up no hits.
Due in part to a throwing error by second baseman Jon Berti, the Dodgers scored three runs in the fifth inning after jumping on Cubs reliever Ben Brown (0-1). Will Smith and Tommy Edman both hit RBI singles.
Ohtani contributed to the rally with a forceful single through the right side. With a double to start the ninth and go on to score another run, he ended 2-for-5 at the plate.
Yamamoto (1-0) struck out four batters while allowing one run on three hits and a walk. It was Tanner Scott's first save.
It was 1-0 in the second after Miguel Amaya of Chicago drove in Dansby Swanson with a double with two outs. After the third, the Cubs had no hits.
Before the game, Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman was scratched due to discomfort in his left rib. Due to an illness, shortstop Mookie Betts will miss both of the Japan games.
On Wednesday night, the Cubs' left-hander Justin Steele will take the mound for the final game in Tokyo, while Japanese rookie Roki Sasaki will make his Major League debut for the Dodgers.
Dodgers' Freddie Freeman (rib) out of Tokyo opener lineup
TOKYO -- Prior to Tuesday night's season opening against the Chicago Cubs at the Tokyo Dome, Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman was held out of the starting lineup due to left rib pain.
When Freeman initially entered the order, he played first base and batted third. Last season, the eight-time All-Star hit.282 with 22 home runs and 89 RBIs.
Without Freeman, the Dodgers switched up the lineup, inserting Michael Conforto in left field and Kiké Hernandez at first base.
The season begins with a two-game series between the Dodgers and Cubs in Japan. Mookie Betts, the shortstop, is also sidelined due to sickness.
In order to continue his recuperation, Betts has returned to Los Angeles.
Manager Dave Roberts stated, "It just made the most sense for him to get back to a regular routine." "We all support it, and that is kind of where we are at."
Miguel Rojas is in the starting lineup at shortstop for Tuesday's game.
