Ohtani Hits First Homer of 2026, Sparking Dodgers Comeback

Dodgers star's 3-run blast helps team rally past Nationals

Apr. 3, 2026 at 6:33pm

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An abstract, energetic painting in vibrant neon colors, capturing the raw power and emotion of Shohei Ohtani's game-tying home run, with the batter's silhouette dissolving into a blur of motion and the baseball exploding in a burst of light.Shohei Ohtani's clutch home run sparks a Dodgers comeback, showcasing the star's explosive talent and the team's offensive firepower.Los Angeles Today

Shohei Ohtani hit his first home run of the 2026 MLB season, a 3-run shot in the third inning that sparked a comeback for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Washington Nationals. The Dodgers went on to score multiple two-run homers after Ohtani's blast, rallying from an early deficit to win the game.

Why it matters

Ohtani, the Dodgers' two-way star, had a somewhat slow start to the season, making his first homer of the year an important moment. The Dodgers' ability to rally from behind also showcases the team's offensive firepower and resilience.

The details

Ohtani's 3-run homer in the third inning brought the Dodgers even with the Nationals, who had taken an early lead. The blast was followed by two-run homers from Mookie Betts, Andy Pages, and Freddie Freeman, completing the Dodgers' comeback. Ohtani came into the game batting just .167 with no homers, but this performance is in line with his typical slow starts to the season.

  • Ohtani hit his first home run of the 2026 season in the third inning on April 3, 2026.
  • The Dodgers and Nationals were playing on Friday, April 3, 2026.

The players

Shohei Ohtani

The Los Angeles Dodgers' two-way star, known for his prowess as both a hitter and a pitcher.

Mookie Betts

An outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers who hit a two-run homer following Ohtani's blast.

Andy Pages

A Dodgers player who hit a two-run homer in the comeback effort.

Freddie Freeman

The Dodgers' first baseman who also hit a two-run homer in the game.

CJ Abrams

The Washington Nationals player who hit a three-run homer to give his team an early lead.

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What they’re saying

“Ohtani's first homer of the season was a big moment for us. It really got the offense going and sparked our comeback.”

— Dave Roberts, Dodgers Manager

What’s next

Ohtani will look to build on this performance as the Dodgers continue their series against the Nationals over the weekend.

The takeaway

Shohei Ohtani's ability to impact games as both a hitter and pitcher makes him one of the most valuable players in baseball. Even when he starts slowly, he can turn a game around with one swing of the bat, as he demonstrated in this comeback win for the Dodgers.