Late Night in Atlanta: Ohtani Shines as Dodgers Roll Past Braves 10–3

After a three-hour rain delay, Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers turned Saturday night/Sunday morning into a long one for Braves fans.

May 3, 2025; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) reacts after hitting a home run against the Atlanta Braves during the third inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

In what felt like a game that might never start, the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers finally took the field under the lights at Truist Park following a lengthy three-hour rain delay. With the Braves hoping to bounce back from a narrow 2–1 loss in game one, fans settled in for some late-night baseball. Atlanta rolled out Spencer Schwellenbach (1–2) against Los Angeles’ Roki Sasaki (0–1), and the Braves sported their slick City Connect jerseys for the occasion. Unfortunately for the home crowd, the script didn’t go their way.

First Glimpse of Trouble

The action began innocently enough, with Shohei Ohtani singling to lead off the game. Schwellenbach bounced back to record three straight outs, including a strikeout to end the top of the first. On the other side, the Braves managed a single from Austin Riley, but nothing came of it.

In the second, Will Smith doubled and later scored on a Michael Conforto fielder’s choice to put the Dodgers ahead 1–0. Atlanta answered right back. Ozzie Albies singled, stole second, and came around to score on an RBI triple from Eli White. The game was tied 1–1 heading into the third.

Ohtani Goes Off

From there, the Dodgers’ bats — led by none other than Shohei Ohtani — took over.

Ohtani launched a 415-foot solo home run to dead center to open the third inning. Mookie Betts and Teoscar Hernández followed with back-to-back hits, extending L.A.’s lead to 3–1. And that was just the beginning of Ohtani’s night.

In the fourth, he added his third hit of the game, sparking another big inning for the Dodgers. Mookie Betts drove him in with an RBI double, and Freddie Freeman followed with another RBI single. Schwellenbach’s night ended after allowing five earned runs in just 3.2 innings. The Dodgers took full advantage, scoring four in the inning to jump out to a 7–1 lead.

Braves Fight Back, Briefly

The Braves showed signs of life in the bottom of the fourth. Albies hit a solo homer to right, and Nick Allen added an RBI double to bring the score to 7–3. But that would be the last time Atlanta would score.

Aaron Bummer and Enyel De Los Santos provided some stability out of the bullpen, keeping the Dodgers off the board through the seventh. But in the eighth, things unraveled again. After back-to-back walks, Freddie Freeman smashed a 416-foot three-run homer to put the game out of reach at 10–3.

Final Push Falls Short

The Braves loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth, giving fans a glimmer of hope for a late rally. But Matt Olson and Sean Murphy struck out back-to-back to end it, sealing the Dodgers’ 10–3 victory.

Ohtani Steals the Show

Shohei Ohtani was the undisputed star of the night. He finished 3-for-4 with a home run, three runs scored, and a commanding presence at the top of the Dodgers lineup. His leadoff hit, long ball, and relentless pressure sparked the L.A. offense and set the tone in a game that could’ve gone either way after the delay.

Up Next

The series wraps up tomorrow night in prime time, as Sunday Night Baseball returns to ESPN. First pitch between the Braves and Dodgers is set for 7:10 PM ET at Truist Park.