Yankees vs Dodgers: Judge starts hot, but Ohtani’s comeback power tops

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The marquee matchup between baseball’s biggest stars lived up to every expectation Friday night. Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge traded bombs early, but it was the two-way sensation who claimed bragging rights as the Los Angeles Dodgers stormed back to defeat the New York Yankees 8-5 at Dodger Stadium in a World Series rematch that had everything.

Record-breaking opening frame

Baseball witnessed something unprecedented in the game’s opening moments.

Judge, the American League’s defending MVP, crushed a towering 446-foot solo blast to straightaway center field off Tony Gonsolin in the first inning’s top half. The Dodgers’ Ohtani, holder of the National League MVP trophy, fired back immediately with a 417-foot rocket on the very first pitch he saw from Max Fried.

Never before had both defending MVPs gone deep in a game’s first inning.

“I feel like he was copying me,” Judge joked afterward. “He’s impressive. He’s one of the best players in the game for a reason.”

Yankees strike first with power surge

The Yankees wasted no time establishing their power credentials. Judge’s mammoth shot opened the floodgates for a home run barrage that put New York ahead early.

Austin Wells started the second inning with his first homer since May 12. Trent Grisham followed with a two-run drive. Paul Goldschmidt capped the long ball parade with a third-inning shot to the opposite field, staking the Yankees to a commanding 5-2 advantage.

Gonsolin absorbed four home runs through three innings but steadied himself to complete six frames. His resilience gave the Dodgers offense time to find their rhythm and mount their comeback charge.

Ohtani sparks Dodgers comeback

Ohtani’s night was far from over after his first-inning heroics. The Japanese superstar struck again in the sixth, absolutely demolishing a Max Fried offering at 112.5 mph to slice New York’s lead to 5-3. The blast was his major league-leading 22nd home run this season.

That swing triggered a decisive four-run uprising. Freddie Freeman knocked home another run with a clutch double, making it 5-4. Andy Pages leveled the score with a timely single off Jonathan Loáisiga. Following an intentional walk to Max Muncy, Michael Conforto worked a bases-loaded walk against Tim Hill, pushing Los Angeles ahead 6-5.

Pages delivered the knockout punch with a two-run single in the seventh inning off Yerry De los Santos, extending the Dodgers’ lead to 8-5.

Pitching performances tell tale of two games

The Yankees’ early offensive explosion derailed Fried’s dominant season. The southpaw, who entered with an unblemished 7-0 record, surrendered six runs and eight hits across five-plus innings. Both figures represented season worsts, inflating his ERA from 2.21 to 2.78.

“That was just a pretty good ball game right there to beat Max Fried, who is probably a top-five pitcher in the game right now,” Freeman observed.

Gonsolin weathered the early storm to claim his third victory of the year. Despite yielding four home runs, he gutted through six innings before turning the game over to a bullpen that silenced Yankee bats completely. Alex Vesia nailed down his second save with a perfect ninth inning.

Star power delivers as advertised

Both MVP winners showcased exactly why they wear those crowns. Judge finished 2-for-5 with his home run and a double. His regular-season total at Dodger Stadium now stands at five homers in just six career games.

Ohtani matched Judge’s production with his pair of long balls, staying on track for a potential 50-homer season. The designated hitter leads all of baseball in home runs, total bases, and runs scored. Since April 30, only Judge has posted superior offensive numbers.

“You want to play against the best teams, the best players,” Judge said. “Ohtani is definitely one of the best players in the game, and he has been for a long time.”

Ohtani’s influence stretched beyond raw statistics. His dynamic presence energized the sellout crowd and sustained Los Angeles’s momentum throughout the evening.

Hot streak fades

The victory ended New York’s impressive six-game winning streak. The Yankees had captured nine of their previous 10 contests and 11 of 13 entering this series. Friday’s setback served as a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change at baseball’s highest level.

“It’s just about two good ballclubs going after it,” Judge reflected. “We weren’t able to come away with a win there but we’ll be ready to go tomorrow.”

New York deployed three former MVP winners Judge, Goldschmidt, and Cody Bellinger. The Dodgers countered with their own collection of elite talent, led by Freeman, Ohtani, and a lineup that proved too much for the visiting Bronx Bombers.

Electric atmosphere sets October tone

Dodger Stadium buzzed with playoff-level intensity from the first pitch to the final out. A marching band entertained fans on the concourse. Live radio broadcasts echoed from behind the dugouts. Drones circled overhead as two of baseball’s premier franchises battled before a capacity crowd.

Despite the May calendar date, both teams delivered October-caliber drama. When the smoke cleared, Shohei Ohtani stood as the night’s biggest winner.

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