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Dodgers 4-0 Win Fueled by Ohtani’s Leadoff Homer

5/22/2026

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Summary

Ohtani Dominates

On May 20, 2026, the Dodgers beat the Padres 4–0 as Shohei Ohtani hit a leadoff homer and threw five shutout innings.
The first-pitch blast was Ohtani’s eighth of the season, his 27th career leadoff homer, and cut his ERA to a league-best 0.73.
Teoscar Hernández hit a ninth-inning homer, with Kyle Tucker adding an RBI single and Padres starter Randy Vásquez exiting after 4.1 innings with three runs on six hits.

Summary

Dodgers Shutout Padres

The Dodgers beat the Padres 4–0, moving to 31–19 and gaining a 1.5-game NL West lead.
Jackson Merrill exited after four innings with a back ailment when Shohei Ohtani’s leadoff homer cleared him.
Los Angeles used relievers Edgardo Henriquez, Blake Treinen, Kyle Hurt and Will Klein to finish the game shutout, earning its first season series win over NL West rivals in San Diego.

History

Historical Context

In 1978, the Los Angeles Dodgers, in their 89th franchise season and second straight National League pennant, blanked the San Diego Padres 4–0 with Don Sutton on the mound. Fifty-eight years later, on May 20 2026, Shohei Ohtani repeated the shutout, delivering a leadoff homer and posting a 0.73 ERA. These games illustrate the Dodgers’ long-term dominance in the NL West rivalry.

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Ohtani Dominates

On May 20, 2026, the Dodgers beat the Padres 4–0 as Shohei Ohtani hit a leadoff homer and threw five shutout innings.
The first-pitch blast was Ohtani’s eighth of the season, his 27th career leadoff homer, and cut his ERA to a league-best 0.73.
Teoscar Hernández hit a ninth-inning homer, with Kyle Tucker adding an RBI single and Padres starter Randy Vásquez exiting after 4.1 innings with three runs on six hits.

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