Shohei Ohtani tosses one-hitter as Dodgers top Guardians
The Sporting Tribune's Fredo Cervantes writes about Shohei Ohtani's performance on the mound.
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) throws to the plate during the third inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Dodger Stadium. LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani didn’t just return to the mound Tuesday night—he set the tone for what the Dodgers believe this season can be. In his 2026 pitching debut, Ohtani delivered six dominant innings of one-hit baseball, powering the Dodgers to a 4–1 win over the Cleveland Guardians at Uniqlo Field at Dodger Stadium.
It was efficient, electric, and at times effortless—everything the Dodgers hoped for, and maybe a little more. For a team looking to get back in the win column, Ohtani made sure there would be no drama early. Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) throws to the plate during the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Dodger Stadium.
Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) throws to the plate during the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Dodger Stadium. He needed just 15 pitches to cruise through the first inning, pounding the strike zone and establishing a rhythm that never really left him.
Through two innings, he was in complete command—26 pitches, four outs in the air, and a pair of strikeouts via a sharp sweeper and a diving splitter. The third inning brought his only real moment of turbulence. Two walks put traffic on the bases, but Ohtani didn’t blink.