In a thrilling display of offensive firepower, the Los Angeles Dodgers overcame the Washington Nationals 13-7 on Sunday at Dodger Stadium to conclude their three-game series. Central to this victory was Shohei Ohtani, whose key performance in the Dodgers game included a three-run triple and a two-run homer, while Max Muncy powered the team’s comeback with a grand slam and a three-run homer in the late innings.

Ohtani also took the mound for his second start since returning from nearly two years of recovery following elbow surgery, delivering a scoreless first inning highlighted by two strikeouts. This contributed to the Dodgers’ ability to surge late against a strong Nationals pitching effort.

Washington’s Early Dominance Meets Late Dodgers Surge

Washington’s starter Michael Soroka impressed early, carrying a no-hitter into the fifth inning and setting a career-high with 10 strikeouts across 5 1/3 innings. Despite his dominant outing, Soroka faltered during the sixth inning, allowing three runs that shifted momentum in Los Angeles’ favor. Nathaniel Lowe continued to provide offensive support for Washington, hitting his third home run over the past two games as the Nationals looked to bounce back after an 11-game losing streak.

The Nationals had won two of the first three games in the series before Sunday’s loss. However, their starter’s strong outing could not hold off a determined Dodgers lineup powered by Ohtani and Muncy’s late-inning heroics.

Max Muncy’s Multiple Homers Turn the Tide

Max Muncy played a pivotal role in the Dodgers’ stunning comeback, first launching a grand slam in the sixth inning that gave Los Angeles a vital lead. He followed with another powerful three-run homer in the seventh, further widening the gap and applying immense pressure on the Nationals pitching staff.

Ben Casparius provided solid relief for the Dodgers, pitching five innings and allowing only three runs on five hits, helping maintain the decisive lead after the offensive explosion. Los Angeles’ blend of timely hitting and effective pitching reshaped the final outcome.

Shohei Ohtani’s Impact Both on the Mound and at the Plate

Ohtani’s influence extended beyond his hitting prowess. On the mound, his scoreless first inning with two strikeouts signaled his return to form after a long absence due to surgery. At the plate, his seventh-inning three-run triple sparked the rally that eventually overtook the Nationals’ early advantage.

He added a two-run homer in the eighth, igniting the crowd and solidifying the Dodgers’ offensive dominance. His overall performance perfectly captured his dual-threat capability and underscored why he is one of the game’s most exciting and valuable players.

Other Major League Highlights from Sunday’s Games

In addition to the Dodgers’ victory, several other MLB matchups featured memorable moments:

New York Yankees 4, Baltimore Orioles 2: Jazz Chisholm Jr. delivered a go-ahead two-run double in the eighth inning, helping New York secure a series-clinching triumph. Chisholm showed strong form after returning from injury, while rookie starter Will Warren pitched deep into the game despite early runs by Baltimore.

Detroit Tigers 9, Tampa Bay Rays 3: Wenceel Perez’s two-run homer and Parker Meadows’ three-run blast powered Detroit past Tampa Bay. Despite Junior Caminero’s home run tying the game earlier, the Tigers pulled away late to avoid a losing streak.

Chicago White Sox 4, Toronto Blue Jays 2: Miguel Vargas’ two-run double in the eighth inning sealed the win for Chicago in the series finale. Starter Adrian Houser delivered a strong outing, and closer Grant Taylor earned his first career save.

Miami Marlins 5, Atlanta Braves 3: Otto Lopez and Kyle Stowers combined offensive firepower, with Lopez driving in two runs. Sandy Alcantara pitched six innings, holding Atlanta under control to secure Miami’s first series win over the Braves since September 2023.

Milwaukee Brewers 9, Minnesota Twins 8: Brice Turang’s three-run homer and Rhys Hoskins’ solo shot helped Milwaukee complete a three-game sweep. Christian Yelich continued his hot streak with consistent RBI production across the series.

Cincinnati Reds 4, St. Louis Cardinals 1: Andrew Abbott’s seven strong innings halted Cincinnati’s losing skid, as Matt McLain homered to contribute offensively. Emilio Pagan closed the game with a flawless ninth inning.

Pittsburgh Pirates 8, Texas Rangers 3: Tommy Pham’s three hits, including two doubles, powered the Pirates to a rare win amid a tough stretch. Despite the loss, Texas maintained competitive offense as they had previously won two games in the series.

Seattle Mariners 14, Chicago Cubs 6: Cal Raleigh continued his league-leading home run pace with his 31st blast, while Donovan Solano’s five RBIs fueled Seattle’s offensive explosion. Both teams combined for nine home runs in a hitter-friendly Wrigley Field contest.

Colorado Rockies 4, Arizona Diamondbacks 2: Mickey Moniak’s homer and Antonio Senzatela’s solid starting pitching earned Colorado a victory at home. The Diamondbacks’ three-game winning streak was snapped despite Josh Naylor scoring both their runs on his birthday.

Cleveland Guardians 3, Oakland Athletics 0: Slade Cecconi’s seven shutout innings powered Cleveland to a clean sweep in the series. Closer Emmanuel Clase overcame a bases-loaded jam in the ninth to secure his 18th save of the season.

San Francisco Giants 9, Boston Red Sox 5: Home runs by Casey Schmitt, Mike Yastrzemski, and Willy Adames plus four RBIs from Heliot Ramos propelled the Giants past Boston. Rafael Devers contributed offensively against his former team, but the Red Sox fell short after leading in the seventh.

Houston Astros 8, Los Angeles Angels 7: Mauricio Dubon had a multi-homer game along with three RBIs, while Jeremy Pena added a homer and double to fuel Houston’s victory in Anaheim. Josh Hader earned his 19th save despite a ninth-inning leadoff homer.

San Diego Padres 3, Kansas City Royals 2: An RBI infield single by Jose Iglesias in the bottom of the ninth lifted San Diego to a tight win. Defensive plays and clutch hitting were crucial in sealing the victory.

Significance and Outlook for the Dodgers and MLB Season

The combined power and versatility displayed by Shohei Ohtani and Max Muncy highlight the Dodgers’ offensive depth and resilience moving forward in the season. Ohtani’s key performance in the Dodgers game, both pitching and hitting, signals his ongoing recovery and importance as a two-way threat. Meanwhile, Muncy’s timely home runs provide the team with reliable power in clutch situations.

This victory not only capped the series against the Nationals on a high note but also reinforces the Dodgers’ competitive edge amid a demanding MLB schedule. As the season progresses, performances like these will be critical in maintaining momentum and contending against strong rivals.