Dodgers sweep Cubs in Tokyo Series

Field Level Media|published: Wed 19th March, 09:22 2025

MLB: Los Angeles Dodgers at Chicago Cubs

Mar 18, 2025; Bunkyo, Tokyo, JPN; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) (center) smiles after defeating the Chicago Cubs during the Tokyo Series at Tokyo Dome. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Enrique Hernandez homered to highlight his three-RBI performance, and Shohei Ohtani and Tommy Edman also went deep, lifting the Los Angeles Dodgers to a sweep of the Tokyo Series with a 6-3 win over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday.

Hernandez drove in Max Muncy with a sacrifice fly in the second inning and launched a two-run homer in the fourth for Los Angeles, which posted a 4-1 victory over Chicago on Tuesday.

Edman hit a solo homer in the third inning Wednesday, and Ohtani was credited with a solo shot in the fifth after a video review. Ohtani deposited a 2-2 fastball from Nate Pearson to deep right-center field that was called a homer, although it appeared a fan reached over and touched the ball.

Japanese right-hander Roki Sasaki struggled with his control in his MLB debut for the Dodgers.

Sasaki allowed five walks -- including three in a row in the third inning -- before striking out Michael Busch and rookie Matt Shaw to end the threat.

Sasaki permitted one run on one hit and struck out three over three innings. He threw just 25 of his 56 pitches for strikes.

Five Dodgers relievers combined to strike out nine batters over the final six innings, with Landon Knack (1-0) recording the win after allowing one hit and fanning three over two frames. Alex Vesia induced rookie Matt Shaw to ground out with two runners aboard in the ninth inning to secure the save.

For the Cubs, Dansby Swanson ripped an RBI double, Ian Happ had an RBI single, and Jon Berti had three hits.

Will Smith worked a walk from Justin Steele (0-1) to lead off the second inning and advanced to third on Muncy's double to right field. A passed ball by Carson Kelly allowed Smith to score the game's first run before Muncy cruised home on Hernandez's sacrifice fly to center field.

Edman deposited a 3-2 fastball from Steele over the wall in left field to stake the Dodgers to a 3-0 lead.

The Cubs scratched for a run before Smith doubled to lead off the fourth. He trotted home after Hernandez crushed a 2-2 fastball from Steele well over the left-field wall.

Steele took the loss after yielding five runs on five hits in four innings.

--Field Level Media