Seiya Suzuki ripped two home runs while going 3-for-5 with five RBIs as the Chicago Cubs routed the Athletics 10-2 on Wednesday to sweep the three-game series, while Shohei Ohtani hit a walk-off homer as the Los Angeles Dodgers continued their perfect start.
Suzuki extended the Cubs' lead to 4-0 with two outs in the second inning when he connected on a first-pitch four-seamer from Jeffrey Springs (1-1) for a three-run blast to left, following up his three-run homer a day earlier also at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, California.
The 30-year-old went deep in back-to-back at-bats with no outs in the fourth, this time a solo shot to the opposite field off a 2-2 cutter from Athletics reliever Mitch Spence for a 6-2 lead.
Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki hits a three-run home run in the second inning of a baseball game against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, California, on April 2, 2025. (Kyodo)
After getting only two hits in 21 at-bats during the opening five games of the season, Suzuki has had multiple hits in each of his last four. He had three hits on Wednesday, his season-high, with his line drive to left plating the last run of the game with two outs in the seventh.
"It gives me confidence that I've recovered my form in a short period of time," Suzuki said. "The season has just begun. I'll work hard looking to maintain this form for a long time."
Ohtani saved his best to last as he also went 3-for-5. His ninth-inning solo blast sealed the Dodgers' 6-5 comeback win over the Atlanta Braves, and a record eighth straight victory by a reigning World Series champion to open the season.
The Dodgers trailed 5-0 after the top of the second but Tommy Edman's two-run homer in the home half, Michael Conforto's solo shot in the fourth and an RBI double from Max Muncy in the eighth tied it at Dodger Stadium.
After singling in the fifth and seventh, Ohtani crushed a first-pitch changeup from Raisel Iglesias (0-1) with one out in the ninth over the center-field wall to spark a wild celebration from his teammates.
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a walk-off home run in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on April 2, 2025. (Kyodo)
"I was hoping to hit a fat pitch," Ohtani said. "To have this many fans coming and getting them to watch a wonderful game, it's the ultimate reward for a player."
The walk-off homer was the second of his career, following his first in August, when he reached 40 homers and 40 stolen bases in a single season. It also fell on a unique night, when his bobblehead was given to fans in commemoration of his third unanimous MVP Award.
"Having people setting me up with this occasion, and getting to hit one on such a day, is special," Ohtani said. "I think it's been a great night."
"(The at-bat) came when I could sense the game was going our way, once we had tied it. We have lots of games in which we turn things around in late innings, and I think we're carrying that mood over to the next day to string wins together."
Yusei Kikuchi did not get a decision after giving up three runs on four hits over six innings as the Los Angeles Angels' four-game winning run came to an end with a 12-5 defeat to the St. Louis Cardinals.
The lefty allowed all his runs to Ivan Herrera, who went deep to tie the game 1-1 in the fourth and again in the sixth for a 3-1 lead with a two-run blast for the home team. Kikuchi struck out six while walking five.
Related coverage:
Baseball star Hayato Sakamoto told to pay back taxes on 240 mil. yen claims
Baseball: Shohei Ohtani tops MLB jersey sales for 18 straight months
Baseball: Tomoyuki Sugano leaves early with cramps, takes loss in MLB debut
