Shohei Ohtani homered on the first pitch of the game and scored three runs, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto went six strong innings as the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Cleveland Guardians 7-2 on Monday night.
Ohtani took over the MLB lead with 19 home runs — one more than Yankees superstar Aaron Judge and Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber — by sending Gavin Williams’ fastball into the stands in right field. He also leads baseball with 57 runs.
Yamamoto (6-3) struck out seven, giving up two runs on three hits and remaining second-best in the NL with a 1.97 ERA.
All-Star third baseman Jose Ramirez extended his hitting streak to a career-high 19 games for the Guardians, doubling and scoring on Kyle Manzardo’s single in the sixth. Williams (4-3) walked a season-high six and allowed four runs on four hits in 4 2/3 innings.
Jackson Chourio homered on the first pitch from Garrett Crochet and Trevor Megill stranded the bases loaded in the ninth inning as host Milwaukee held off Boston in the opener of a three-game series.
The Red Sox trailed 3-1 after eight innings before rallying against Megill. Trevor Story and Rob Refsnyder walked, and Jarren Duran punched a two-out single to right to score Story from second. Rafael Devers was intentionally walked to load the bases, but Megill got Connor Wong on a flyout to right for his 10th save in 11 opportunities.
Milwaukee starter Chad Patrick allowed three hits over 4 2/3 scoreless innings, striking out six and walking two. DL Hall (1-0), activated earlier Monday off the 60-day injured list, followed and yielded two hits and one run with 2 1/3 innings. Abner Uribe finished the eighth inning before giving way to Megill. Crochet (4-4) allowed two runs on five hits in 6 2/3 innings, striking out 11 and walking two in a 108-pitch outing.
Mets 2, White Sox 1
Francisco Lindor’s sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth inning lifted New York over visiting Chicago.
Tyrone Taylor started the winning rally off right-hander Steven Wilson (1-1) with a double off the glove of center fielder Luis Robert Jr. on the warning track. After Jeff McNeil was given an intentional walk, Luis Torrens singled to left to fill the bases, setting the stage for Lindor. It was the Mets’ fifth walk-off win of the season.
