Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman Each Go Deep, Hyeseong Kim Notches First Hit and RBI as Dodgers Win in Miami
The Los Angeles Dodgers brought their bats to South Florida and didn’t leave without making a loud statement. In the opener of a road series against the Miami Marlins, two of the Dodgers’ cornerstone sluggers—Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman—each launched home runs, while rookie Hyeseong Kim recorded the first hit and RBI of his Major League career. All of it combined for a convincing Dodgers win, one that set the tone early in the series and continued their strong early-season form.
For Ohtani, it was another shining moment in a season that continues to draw awe from both fans and analysts. The two-way superstar crushed a towering shot to right-center field in the top of the third inning, a solo homer that traveled 431 feet and left the bat at 112 miles per hour. It was vintage Ohtani: a smooth, powerful swing that turned around a fastball and left no doubt. The home run gave the Dodgers an early lead and injected energy into the visiting dugout.
Ohtani, who joined the Dodgers in the offseason in one of the most anticipated free-agent moves in baseball history, has been a sparkplug in the middle of the order. Though he’s not pitching this season as he recovers from elbow surgery, his impact at the plate has been undeniable. The homer in Miami was his seventh of the season and his third in the last five games. His bat speed, plate discipline, and natural lift continue to make him one of the most dangerous hitters in the league. And for Dodgers fans, his power surge couldn’t come at a better time.
Not to be outdone, Freddie Freeman added a blast of his own just two innings later. The veteran first baseman, known for his smooth stroke and clutch hitting, turned on a hanging slider and pulled it into the right-field seats for a two-run home run that extended Los Angeles’ lead. Freeman’s swing was textbook, compact and efficient, and the ball jumped off his bat with that familiar thud. It marked his fifth homer of the season and was a continuation of what’s become a quietly dominant stretch at the plate.
Freeman, the former National League MVP and one of the most respected hitters in baseball, continues to serve as the anchor for a Dodgers lineup brimming with stars. His presence both on the field and in the clubhouse remains essential. In recent weeks, Freeman has been red-hot, driving the ball to all fields and working counts like few others can. His ability to come through in big moments, as he did against the Marlins, remains one of his defining traits. The veteran leader isn’t showing any signs of slowing down, and performances like this one only reaffirm his status as one of the best in the game.
As impressive as the home runs were, one of the most heartwarming moments of the night came courtesy of Hyeseong Kim. The 22-year-old rookie infielder, called up just last week, recorded his first Major League hit and RBI in the sixth inning. With two outs and a runner on second, Kim jumped on a first-pitch fastball and laced it into left field. The ball was quickly retrieved and tossed into the Dodgers’ dugout, and Kim was greeted at first base with smiles, applause, and a well-earned pat on the back from the first base coach.
For Kim, the moment was the culmination of years of hard work and determination. Signed as an international prospect and developed through the Dodgers’ system, Kim has impressed coaches with his steady glove and mature approach at the plate. While he hasn’t had many at-bats yet, his demeanor and preparation have already earned him respect among his teammates. Getting that first hit and RBI out of the way not only boosts his confidence but also marks a milestone in what the Dodgers hope will be a long and productive MLB career.
Kim’s RBI single made it a 5–1 game, giving the Dodgers a comfortable cushion that they would never relinquish. The Dodgers would go on to add two more runs in the later innings, while their pitching staff locked things down on the other side of the ball. Starter Gavin Stone delivered a solid performance, allowing just one run over six innings. He mixed his pitches well, keeping the Marlins off balance with a sharp slider and improved command of his fastball. Stone picked up the win, improving to 3–1 on the season and continuing what has been a breakout year for the young right-hander.
The bullpen did the rest, with Yency Almonte, Ryan Brasier, and Alex Vesia each tossing a scoreless frame to shut the door. The Dodgers’ relievers have had their ups and downs so far this season, but in Miami, they looked sharp, attacking the strike zone and minimizing hard contact. Vesia, in particular, looked electric, striking out the side in the ninth to seal the victory and show why he’s earning more high-leverage opportunities.
Defensively, Los Angeles was clean and efficient. There were no errors, and several well-timed plays helped extinguish potential Marlins rallies. Mookie Betts, starting at shortstop again as the Dodgers navigate some injuries in the infield, looked smooth and confident. He turned a slick double play in the fourth and made a tough throw on the run in the fifth to rob Jazz Chisholm Jr. of an infield single. Betts continues to showcase his remarkable versatility, shifting between the outfield and infield with ease and providing value in multiple ways.
For the Dodgers, the victory in Miami was their fourth in the last five games and another step forward in building consistency during a grueling early stretch of the season. Manager Dave Roberts praised his team’s focus and execution afterward, noting how satisfying it was to see contributions from veterans and rookies alike.
“It’s always special when you see a young player get that first hit and RBI,” Roberts said of Kim. “And when you have guys like Shohei and Freddie doing what they do best, it makes everything click. That’s what we saw tonight.”
The Dodgers entered this series with momentum after a series win against the Braves and now look poised to continue their roll. Their offense, when firing on all cylinders, is as potent as any in the league. Ohtani and Freeman homering in the same game is a reminder of how dangerous this lineup can be. Add in young contributors like Kim and emerging arms like Stone, and the Dodgers are beginning to look like the well-rounded juggernaut they were projected to be.
The Marlins, meanwhile, struggled to generate offense. Their lone run came on a solo homer from Bryan De La Cruz in the second inning, but beyond that, they managed just five hits all night. Miami’s pitching staff had no answers for Ohtani and Freeman, and a shaky outing from starter Ryan Weathers put them in an early hole. The Marlins’ bullpen was better, but by then, the damage had already been done.
As the Dodgers celebrate a well-earned series-opening win, attention now turns to Game 2. The Dodgers are expected to send James Paxton to the mound, while the Marlins will counter with right-hander Edward Cabrera. For Los Angeles, the goal is simple: keep the momentum rolling. With Ohtani and Freeman locked in and a deep lineup clicking behind them, they’re well positioned to do just that.
But for now, the spotlight belongs to the stars who carried the load—Ohtani and Freeman with their powerful swings, and Hyeseong Kim with a milestone moment he’ll never forget. Baseball is a game of moments, and in Miami, the Dodgers delivered more than a few to remember.
