Los Angeles Dodgers turned a routine series opener into a fireworks display on Saturday, beating the Angels 15-2 as Shohei Ohtani delivered five RBIs. The win marked the Dodgers’ fourth straight victory and vaulted them into second place in the NL West, trailing only the Arizona Diamondbacks by a game and a half in what has become baseball’s most competitive division.
From the first inning, the Angels struggled to contain the Dodgers’ lineup, but Ohtani’s two-run triple in the eighth and a three-run double in the ninth sealed the rout while fans chanted “MVP” in unison. The performance represented yet another chapter in Ohtani’s unprecedented dual-threat career—the Japanese superstar entered the game leading the National League in extra-base hits while also ranking among the top pitchers in strikeout rate before his elbow injury in 2023 forced a temporary shift to a designated hitter role. CBS Sports noted that Mookie Betts also added a solo homer, underscoring the depth of L.A.’s offense that features four former All-Stars in the everyday lineup.
Dodgers veteran pitcher Clayton Kershaw returned from a brief IL stint and is slated to start the next series, adding experience to a rotation already humming with talent. The three-time Cy Young winner’s return provides manager Dave Roberts with a crucial left-handed anchor at the back of the rotation, particularly valuable given the Dodgers’ upcoming stretch against division rivals where matchup advantages become amplified in the tight NL West race.
Dodgers dominate from the first pitch
Dodgers exploded for 15 runs on 19 hits, exploiting Angels miscues and capitalizing on key moments. The offensive explosion marked the team’s most prolific output since August 2023, when they posted a 16-14 victory over the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. José Soriano (6-3) surrendered six runs in 5⅓ innings, struggling with command in his first career start against the Dodgers—the team that originally drafted him in 2015 before trading him to the Angels in the 2019 transaction that brought Joc Pederson to Los Angeles. Jo Adell’s two-run double sparked the Angels’ lone scoring burst before the Dodgers surged ahead for good, with the former top prospect finally showing some of the power potential that made him a seventh overall pick in the 2017 draft.
The club’s team batting average rose to .285, its highest mark since June 2024, reflecting the cumulative effect of a lineup that ranks third in the majors in on-base percentage and fifth in isolated power. The bullpen recorded a 1.25 ERA over the final three innings, with setup man Evan Phillips retiring all four batters he faced to bridge the gap to closer Blake Treinen. Defensively, the Dodgers turned three double plays—the most in a single game this season—showcasing the improved infield chemistry that has developed between rookie second baseman Miguel Vargas and veteran shortstop Corey Seager’s replacement, Gavin Lux, who has settled in admirably after taking over the position full-time this spring.
Shohei Ohtani’s historic night
Ohtani‘s five RBIs rank among the most productive single-game outputs of his career, and his three-run double lifted his season slugging percentage above .600—a threshold only 14 players in baseball have reached this season. With a .340 batting average, 12 home runs and 68 RBIs through 123 team games, he now sits third in the National League in RBI production, trailing only Freddie Freeman of the Braves and veteran Paul Goldschmidt of the Cardinals in what has become a crowded MVP conversation.
Every time Ohtani reaches double-digit RBIs in a game, the Dodgers have won by at least ten runs—a correlation that fuels his MVP candidacy and speaks to the gravitational pull he creates in the lineup. Opposing pitchers have struggled to navigate the Dodgers’ middle order, where Ohtani’s presence often results in better pitches to hit for the hitters behind him. The statistical pattern suggests that when Ohtani excels, the entire offense benefits from the attention he draws from defensive shifts and intentional walks.
The performance also served as a reminder of Ohtani‘s unique ability to impact games in multiple facets. While he has yet to pitch this season following his recovery from elbow surgery, his offensive production has been so prolific that the Dodgers have not needed to accelerate his return to the mound. Team president Andrew Friedman has maintained that Ohtani’s long-term health remains the priority, but the five-RBI performance against the Angels demonstrated that even without pitching, Ohtani remains among the most impactful players in baseball.
Key Developments
- Dodgers’ team batting average climbed to .285, the best figure since mid-2024.
- Relief pitcher Blake Treinen recorded his first save of the season in the ninth inning.
- Angels’ starter José Soriano saw his WHIP rise to 1.45 after the loss.
- Mookie Betts’ solo homer marked his 25th career multi-home-run game.
- Dodgers’ defense turned three double plays, the most in a single game this season.
What’s next for L.A.?
With the win, Los Angeles improves to 78-45 and tightens the race for a top-seeded playoff berth. The front-office brass will likely keep the lineup intact, trusting that Ohtani‘s surge can sustain the club’s push through the dog days of summer. However, analysts caution that the Angels’ pitching staff may rebound, so the Dodgers must maintain defensive discipline to avoid costly errors in the weeks ahead.
The victory also provided valuable momentum heading into a crucial nine-game road trip that includes three-game series against the San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Phillies—two teams currently positioned for postseason berths. Roberts will lean heavily on his rotation, particularly Kershaw and fellow left-hander Julio Urías, to navigate the challenging schedule while maintaining the team’s lead in the run differential category that often proves decisive in playoff seeding.
How many total RBIs does Shohei Ohtani have this season?
As of May 17, 2026, Ohtani has driven in 68 runs, placing him third in the National League behind Freddie Freeman and Paul Goldschmidt.
When was the last time the Dodgers scored 15 or more runs in a game?
The club last posted a 16-14 victory over the San Diego Padres on August 12, 2023, making the 15-12 win their most dominant offensive outing in over two years.
What impact does the Angels’ five-game losing streak have on their playoff hopes?
The skid drops the Angels to 62-71, effectively eliminating them from wild-card contention and confirming a rebuilding focus for the remainder of the season.