Shohei Ohtanihit two home runs, whileClayton Kershawpitched seven scoreless innings to lead theLos Angeles Dodgersback into first place atop the National League West withan 11-5 winover theSan Francisco Giantson Saturday. Ohtani put the Dodgers on the board first with a leadoff homer offLanden Roupp, who left a 91 mph cutter up high in the strike zone. Roupp caused more trouble for himself in the second inning, walkingTeoscar HernándezandMax Muncyon five pitches apiece. Both runners came around to score on anAndy Pagessingle andMichael Confortodouble. With two runners on and one out, Roupp intentionally walked Ohtani but then left a sinker in the middle of the zone for Mookie Betts to smack for a two-run double. The Giants starter lasted 1 2/3 innings, allowing six runs on four hits, five walks and no strikeouts. Ohtani added his second home run in the sixth, pulling a high, outside curveball from relieverTristan Beckover the fence in right-center field. That was the 250th home run of Ohtani's spectacular eight-year MLB career, 79 of which have been in less than two seasons with the Dodgers. Shohei Ohtani's SECOND homer of the night!pic.twitter.com/vgaf9GhSoC — MLB (@MLB)June 15, 2025 Surprisingly, Ohtani hadn't hit a home run in his past 10 games. That may have made him press a bit, compelling him to chase pitches he normally might have held back on, according to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. "I think it seemed like a while," Roberts said,via MLB.com. "I think that there was a lot of chase down below in the last 10 days. Tonight, he got the ball, used the big part of the field and put some good swings together." Perhaps even more encouraging for the Dodgers was Kershaw's best start since returning to the rotation on May 17. Making his sixth appearance on the season, the veteran left-hander allowed only three hits and one walk with five strikeouts in seven innings. In his past two starts, Kershaw has given up one run in 12 innings, striking out 12 batters and walking only one. From 46 MPH to 84 MPHClayton Kershaw knows how to keep hitters guessing 😂pic.twitter.com/fewDgQ5naj — MLB (@MLB)June 15, 2025 "In the moment, I can think of some pitches outside my head that I'd like to have back, that I'd like to throw better,"Kershaw saidafter the game. "But there's no restrictions physically, health-wise, which is great." Saturday's start dropped Kershaw's ERA to 3.25 for the season, though he's striking out 6.5 batters per nine innings, which would be the lowest rate of his career. He's also only 12 strikeouts away from reaching 3,000 for his career. "Maybe by September I'll get there, we'll see," Kershaw said,via MLB.com. "It's obviously a very cool thing and it's starting to get a little more on the forefront of the mind, but who knows how long 12 could take me at this point? It might be until August, so we'll see." Only19 other pitchershave hit and surpassed that mark in MLB history, including two other active pitchers, Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander. With Saturday's win, the Dodgers regained a one-game leadto lead the NL Westat 42-29, just ahead of the Giants at 41-30.Dustin Maystarts for Los Angeles in the series finale on Sunday night, whileKyle Harrisongets the nod for San Francisco.
