Ohtani’s blast, Freeman’s milestone spark Dodgers early as Marlins’ comeback falls short

Shohei Ohtani’s solo home run in the fifth inning soared into the right-field seats at 117.9 mph — the hardest-hit homer in the majors this season. It stood as the difference-maker in a game that tilted early, as the Dodgers beat the Marlins 7–4 Friday night at loanDepot Park.

The Marlins (13–21) have now dropped nine of their last 11. They got a late jolt from rookie Agustín Ramírez’s three-run homer in the eighth, but the comeback came too late. With the win, the Dodgers (24–11) have taken all four meetings between the teams this season.

Freddie Freeman added his own bit of history with a two-run homer in the third — his 350th career blast. It pushed Los Angeles ahead 3–0 and capped a five-run stretch off Sandy Alcantara, who struggled again in his latest outing. Alcantara gave up six hits, five earned runs and two homers over five innings.

One of those hits came off the bat of Dodgers rookie Hyesong Kim, who recorded the first two hits of his major league career — including an RBI single in the sixth that extended the lead to 6–0.

“Unfortunately, I don’t have the results, you know, but I’m positive,” Alcantara said postgame. “Because the last thing you lose is your faith, you know. I believe in God, and I know this is a process. I will get out of this. I just gotta keep working.”

After five one-sided innings, the story could’ve been a typical Dodgers blowout. But the night took on more meaning as Miami’s young core began to respond — and not just at the plate.

Ramírez, who was called up just last month, has become one of the few bright spots in a season marked by injuries and inconsistency. His 424-foot shot in the eighth was the Marlins’ most electric moment of the night.

But the backdrop to it all was Clayton McCullough, the Dodgers’ former first base-coach-turned Marlins manager, going against his old team at home for the first time. Los Angeles already honored McCullough last weekend in L.A. by presenting him with his World Series ring from last year. But for the Marlins, the significance of the matchup lingered.

“Well, I mean it starts off as a joke like, ‘Let’s win it for you,’” said Marlins DH Connor Norby. “It means so much to him… but you can make that game bigger than it is. They’re a good team obviously, but we’re not afraid.”

Dodgers veteran Kiké Hernández, who has spent time on both sides of similar matchups, said it’s natural to feel the emotions, but not to overthink them.

“You play with so many people… you’re always going to play against someone you used to be teammates with,” he said. “It’s definitely weird — but it’s just another game.”

It was a moment that underscored the contrast between two organizations — one trying to build a standard, the other setting the bar.

“When I was [with the A’s], I was in a pretty dark spot and didn’t really like baseball,” Dodgers infielder Max Muncy said. “Then when I got [to L.A.], it just kind of changed my outlook for the game. So for me, this organization has become family. They really helped me out.”

That sentiment echoed throughout the Dodgers’ clubhouse.

“When I grew up, I didn’t really pay much attention to the team,” said Mookie Betts. “It’s just… more about the players. I just enjoy being with the boys. The team — although it does matter — it’s more about the camaraderie of the boys in here.”

For Muncy, Betts and others, playing for a club with deep postseason roots and perennial expectations brings clarity and purpose.

However, for players such as Dane Myers, just finding that environment again is meaningful.

“I got drafted by Detroit as a pitcher and transitioned into a position player,” Myers said. “Getting traded here felt like a second chance. It almost felt like a college team… a tight group. We hung out a lot, built chemistry.”

With roster turnover a constant across the league, many reflected on the teams that made them fall in love with the game in the first place.

“My hometown team, the Astros,” Myers said. “I watched them build into what they are now. That made me love the game.”

For Norby, it was his college squad.

“It’s more than just a baseball team — you’re connected in a way that sticks with you,” he said. “We kind of have that now. We’ve trained hard, and we know we’ve got a lot to prove.”

Even with the Dodgers firmly in control for most of the night, Miami didn’t fade quietly. In the eighth, Ramírez delivered a 109 mph, 424-foot three-run homer to cut the deficit to 7–4. But Kirby Yates shut the door in the ninth with a 1-2-3 inning.

Still, the difference in pedigree was felt.

“They’re the gold standard,” Kyle Stowers said. “If you want to be the best, you’ve got to beat the best.”