Shohei Ohtani retaliates against Toronto jeers by smashing his seventh homer as the Dodgers defeat the Blue Jays 12-2.
In Toronto, Shohei Ohtani answered the crowd’s boos by launching his seventh home run, while Max Muncy and Will Smith also contributed homers as the Los Angeles Dodgers cruised to a 12-2 victory over the Blue Jays on Friday night.
Smith had an impressive outing with four hits and three RBIs as the Dodgers secured their fifth consecutive win, marking their first visit to Canada since 2016.
Muncy’s fifth homer of the season, a three-run blast off Blue Jays’ right-hander Chris Bassitt (2-4), highlighted a six-run third inning for the Dodgers. Smith added a solo homer off righty Trevor Richards in the fourth, marking his second of the season.
Dodgers’ right-hander Gavin Stone (2-1) delivered a standout performance, allowing only one run and two hits over a career-high seven innings, securing his second win in three starts.
Toronto’s infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa took the mound in the ninth inning and conceded one of the Dodgers’ 19 hits in the game.
Despite facing boos from some in the crowd of 39,688, Ohtani remained unfazed, homering on the third pitch he saw from Bassitt in the first inning. Ohtani’s free agency meeting with Toronto last winter and subsequent signing with the Dodgers stirred up speculation, but ultimately, he inked a deal with Los Angeles.
On Friday, Ohtani went 1 for 4 with a walk and two runs scored. Catcher Danny Jansen provided Toronto’s lone highlight with his first homer for the struggling Blue Jays, who extended their losing streak to four games.
Bassitt endured his second consecutive loss, surrendering nine hits and a season-worst seven runs in 2 2/3 innings.
In other news, Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts disclosed that RHP Walker Buehler (recovering from elbow surgery) will make one more rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City before rejoining the team. Blue Jays’ LHP Yusei Kikuchi (2-1, 2.28 ERA) is set to face Dodgers’ RHP Tyler Glasnow (4-1, 2.92) in the upcoming matchup, with Glasnow looking to improve his track record against Toronto, where he’s winless with a 6.86 ERA in nine starts, all with Tampa Bay.
