'5⅔ innings of KKKKK': Sasaki in crisis of defeat saved by Munshi's 'game-winning two-run homer'! Dodgers edge Yankees 2-1 in comeback... Ohtani goes hitless in 4 at-bats [LAD Review]

*This content was translated by AI.

Max Muncy (36) saved Roki Sasaki (25), who was facing defeat despite his strong performance, and led the LA Dodgers to victory.

On the 18th (Korean time), the Dodgers secured a 2-1 comeback win against the New York Yankees in an away game of the 2026 MLB regular season held at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York, USA.

Capping off the first game of the second half with a win, the Dodgers snapped their three-game losing streak and maintained first place in the National League West with a record of 61 wins and 36 losses. Conversely, the Yankees failed to extend their winning streak to five games, remaining at 54 wins and 43 losses without narrowing the gap behind the American League East-leading Tampa Bay Rays.

The turning point came in the bottom of the 7th inning when the Dodgers trailed 0-1. After being held scoreless by just three hits through six innings, the Dodgers' lineup finally managed to break down Yankees starter Gerrit Cole.

Leadoff batter Mookie Betts reached base on a walk. Following him, Muncy found himself in an unfavorable count of 0 balls and 2 strikes but did not miss Cole's seventh pitch, a mistake ball thrown right down the middle. The hit traveled at a speed of 107.9 mph (approximately 173.6 km/h) for 416 feet (about 127 meters), soaring into the third-floor stands of Yankee Stadium as a massive home run — his 18th of the season.

As a result of that home run, Cole met the criteria for a loss and was replaced by Brent Headrick. The Yankees' lineup failed to score against the Dodgers' bullpen, which saw Jack Drayer pitch 1⅓ innings, Alex Vesia 1 inning, and Tanner Scott 1 inning, confirming Cole as the losing pitcher. Drayer earned the win after pitching a perfect 6th and 7th inning for the Dodgers. Vesia recorded his 16th hold, while Scott secured his 14th save.

Thanks to Muncy's home run, Dodgers starter Sasaki avoided the burden of defeat. On this day, Sasaki delivered a strong performance over 5⅔ innings, allowing 5 hits and 1 walk while striking out 5 batters and giving up only 1 unearned run, laying the foundation for the comeback victory.

With both teams' pitchers performing well, batters struggled to make an impact. Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani started as the leadoff hitter and designated hitter but went hitless in four at-bats. For the Yankees, only Ben Rice managed a multi-hit game with 2 hits in 4 at-bats, making him the sole player across both teams to achieve that feat.

Sasaki dominated the Yankees' lineup today by throwing a total of 94 pitches, including a fastball averaging 100.1 mph (about 161.1 km/h) on 41 throws, along with 30 splitters, 20 sliders, and 3 forkballs.

Sasaki began the game by retiring the side in order in the top of the 1st inning, including a swinging strikeout of Paul Goldschmidt. In the 3rd inning, despite allowing a ground-rule double to Ryan McMahon and a walk to Trent Grisham, he induced a double play from Rice to prevent any runs from scoring.

The first run allowed came due to an error by fielders. In the bottom of the 4th with two outs, Jason Dominguez hit a double to center field. Dodgers center fielder Andy Paredes failed to catch the ball immediately, allowing Dominguez to advance further. Subsequently, Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing also dropped Sasaki's pitch, resulting in a run being scored.

Trouble struck again in the bottom of the 6th inning. After Rice and Cody Bellinger hit singles, there were runners on first and second with two outs. However, reliever Drayer retired Dominguez with a swinging strikeout, preventing any additional runs.

While Sasaki delivered positive results, Ohtani failed to make solid contact even with pitches right down the middle. In his first at-bat in the top of the 1st inning, Ohtani's pull-hit on Cole's fifth knuckle curve resulted in a ground ball to second base. In his second at-bat in the top of the 3rd, although Cole's changeup was located right down the middle, Ohtani's hit became a fly ball to right field. Later, Ohtani also recorded fly balls to left field in the top of the 6th and to third base in the top of the 8th, ultimately failing to record a single hit throughout the game.

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*This content was translated by AI.