LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani homered leading off the bottom of the first inning after pitching a hitless opening frame for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday night.
Ohtani's 28th career leadoff home run and fourth this season came exactly a week after the two-way superstar went deep on the first pitch of the game before throwing five innings of three-hit ball against the Padres in San Diego on May 20.
His 424-foot shot to dead center came on a 1-1 pitch from countryman Tomoyuki Sugano of the Colorado Rockies. Two batters later, Freddie Freeman went deep, giving the Dodgers a 2-0 lead.
On Tuesday, Ohtani was hit by a pitch on his right hand and left the game early.
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Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani runs to first as he grounds out during the third inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
NEW YORK (AP) — Juan Soto homered again, Carson Benge provided two clutch singles and the New York Mets pieced together a 4-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds that snapped a five-game losing streak Wednesday night.
Eric Wagaman also went deep in his first start for the last-place Mets (23-33), who prevented a three-game sweep and avoided falling a season-worst 12 games under .500.
New York mustered only six runs during the skid and had scored two or fewer in each of its previous six games.
Nathaniel Lowe and Sal Stewart each had an RBI single for the Reds (29-26), who stranded 17 runners against six Mets pitchers and finished 3 for 15 with men in scoring position. Rookie right-hander Jonah Tong (1-0) earned his third major league win after permitting just an unearned run over 3 2/3 innings in relief of opener Huascar Brazobán.
Brooks Raley and Luke Weaver each worked 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Devin Williams walked the bases loaded in the ninth before striking out Dane Myers and Blake Dunn for his eighth save.
Cincinnati had won three in a row and five of six.
Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott (4-3) allowed three runs — two earned — and five hits in six innings, dropping to 0-3 in five career outings against the Mets. He was 4-0 with a 1.29 ERA in his previous five starts overall.
Soto connected on a first-inning curveball for his 12th homer this season, second in two nights and sixth in his past seven games.
Wagaman, playing his second game for the Mets, added another solo shot in the second for his first hit with the team.
Benge had two-out RBI singles in the fifth and seventh — both after falling behind 0-2 in the count.
Mets first baseman/designated hitter Jorge Polanco (left Achilles bursitis) began a rehab assignment with Double-A Binghamton, going 1 for 2 with a leadoff single and a run as the DH against Portland.
Reds: Following an off day, RHP Chris Paddack (0-6, 6.86 ERA) starts Friday night at home against RHP Grant Holmes (3-2, 3.78) and the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves.
Mets: RHP Freddy Peralta (3-4, 3.52 ERA) pitches Friday night at home versus Marlins RHP Max Meyer (5-0, 2.52), who shut down the Mets on one hit over seven scoreless innings last Saturday in Miami.
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Cincinnati Reds pitcher Andrew Abbott (41) throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
New York Mets' Carson Benge (3) hits an RBI single during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
New York Mets left fielder Juan Soto (22) celebrates with second baseman Marcus Semien (10) after winning a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
New York Mets pitcher Devin Williams (38) reacts after winning a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
New York Mets' Juan Soto hits a home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
