{"id":48581,"date":"2025-05-16T08:35:28","date_gmt":"2025-05-16T08:35:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=48581"},"modified":"2025-05-16T08:35:28","modified_gmt":"2025-05-16T08:35:28","slug":"shohei-ohtani-homers-twice-dalton-rushing-has-strong-debut-as-dodgers-rout-athletics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=48581","title":{"rendered":"Shohei Ohtani homers twice, Dalton Rushing has strong debut as Dodgers rout Athletics"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"Shohei<\/picture>\n
\n
Shohei Ohtani runs the bases after hitting a three-run homer against the Athletics in the third inning.<\/div>\n
(Gina Ferazzi \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
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As is typically the case when a team\u00a0wins 19-2 like\u00a0the\u00a0Dodgers\u00a0did against the\u00a0Athletics\u00a0on Thursday night, plenty of hitters in the team\u2019s star-studded lineup aligned to have monster nights.<\/p>\n

Shohei Ohtani homered twice in a six-RBI performance, tying the major league lead with 15 long balls this season. Max Muncy, Andy Pages and James Outman also went deep, helping the club set a season-high for runs. Hyeseong Kim reached base all five times. Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts also combined to get aboard five times before being removed after the third inning, the lead at that point already 11 runs.<\/p>\n

All of those accomplishments, however, paled in personal significance to what the Dodgers\u2019 starting catcher did.<\/p>\n

Making his major league debut after being called up in a major roster move the day prior, top prospect\u00a0Dalton Rushing\u00a0walked in his first at-bat, singled in the next and went two-for-four while navigating a pre-determined bullpen game behind the plate \u2014 a strong showing for a 24-year-old slugger with so much potential, the Dodgers cut longtime backup catcher\u00a0Austin Barnes\u00a0to get him on the roster.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s very comfortable, I think, in a good way,\u201d manager Dave Roberts said of Rushing, a second-round draft pick in 2022 who has blossomed into one of the most highly touted prospects in baseball. \u201cI think he thought he was ready [for the majors] when he signed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rushing\u2019s rise wasn\u2019t that quick, requiring the University of Louisville product to climb through the farm system over four minor-league seasons. But after batting .277 with 54 home runs, 185 RBIs and a .931 OPS as a farm hand, the Dodgers decided their minor league player of the year award-winner from last season was finally ready.<\/p>\n

As far as first impressions go, Thursday was a good start.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe just didn\u2019t look like a player that was making his debut,\u201d Roberts said.<\/p>\n

In the second inning, Rushing got a three-run rally started by drawing a leadoff walk. In the third, he worked a full count before blasting a belt-high sinker through the infield at 110 mph off the bat, the first domino in what became a seven-run outburst. In the eighth, he tacked on another base hit when a ground ball to first was deflected.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been something that obviously I wanted to do at a very young age,\u201d Rushing said. \u201cNever in a million years did I imagine it would come with a team like this. So that just makes it that much more special \u2026 And getting here and being able to scratch a couple across like that, get them out of the way, now it takes a little pressure off your shoulders.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Dodgers have been contemplating when to bring Rushing to the majors for a while, long ago convinced his bat was ready to handle big-league pitching.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s part of the reason why, during the second half of last season, they experimented with him in left field; a position where, at the time, he had a clearer pathway to regular playing time.<\/p>\n

This offseason, however, the club decided to rededicate his focus to his duties behind the plate, \u201cchallenging him,\u201d as president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman put it, to improve his defensive fundamentals, pitching-calling during games and ability to build rapport with members of the pitching staff.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Dalton<\/picture>\n
\n
Dalton Rushing is congratulated by first base coach Chris Woodward after his first major league hit.<\/div>\n
(Gina Ferazzi\/Los Angeles Times)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s continued to improve and get better,\u201d Friedman said. \u201cWhen we drafted him, he was new to catching. So there were a lot of areas to improve upon. But his work ethic is off the charts. And he really cares about being great. Each challenge we\u2019ve given him, he\u2019s met that challenge. And the success he\u2019s had, there\u2019s also an important element of having our finger on the pulse of that with guys, in terms of moving them up.\u201d<\/p>\n

And over the last couple weeks, the ways Rushing could potentially impact the club\u2019s MLB roster became increasingly more clear.<\/p>\n

Two weeks ago, the Dodgers sorely missed a left-handed bat like his off the bench in a May 4 loss in Atlanta, a game that ended with Barnes and fellow soft-hitting veteran Miguel Rojas recording outs in tough right-on-right matchups against Braves closer Raisel Iglesias.<\/p>\n

In Barnes\u2019 final Dodgers start last Saturday in Arizona, his weakened throwing arm was also exposed, the Diamondbacks stealing three bases in a game Barnes one-hopped one throw to second base and airmailed another to the outfield.<\/p>\n

Perhaps, if the Dodgers weren\u2019t facing the prospect of a tight division race in this year\u2019s talented National League West, such problems would have been more tolerable. But, with the team\u2019s MLB-best 29-15 record affording them just a one-game division lead so far this year, it\u2019s already become clear that fine margins could matter this season.<\/p>\n

So, once the Dodgers returned home from their 10-game trip this week, the front office decided to pull the trigger.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
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<\/picture><\/a>\u201cRush has obviously been on our radar for a long time in terms of when and how to introduce him to the major league team,\u201d Friedman said. \u201cI think with the improvements we\u2019ve seen year over year, coupled with being in a tight division race \u2026 I think it falls in line with our consistent message of doing anything and everything we can to win.\u201d<\/p>\n

That didn\u2019t mean cutting Barnes, who was in his 11th season with the Dodgers and won two World Series with the club, wasn\u2019t difficult.<\/p>\n

\u201cObviously Austin has been a huge part of this organization for a long time, he\u2019s been in the middle of a lot of really big moments for us,\u201d Friedman said. \u201cHis impact has been significant. So it was one of the harder decisions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Barnes\u2019 departure sent ripples around the rest of the clubhouse, as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think everybody was surprised,\u201d Clayton Kershaw said when asked of Barnes, whose 68 games behind the plate for the future Hall of Famer trails only A.J. Ellis for most in Kershaw\u2019s career.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Max<\/picture>\n
\n
Max Muncy is greeted at home plate by Freddie Freeman after his two-run homer.<\/div>\n
(Gina Ferazzi\/Los Angeles Times)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s sad. Barnesy\u2019s one of my best friends on or off the field. You won\u2019t find a guy that competes better than Austin Barnes. He wants to win more than anybody, and he always found a way, and he came up with some big moments for us throughout the years. I think a lot of people forget he was starting a lot of playoff games and winning a lot of games for us, getting big knocks. It\u2019s sad to see someone like that go who\u2019s been here that long, and I think we all kind of feel it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s no disrespect to Dalton,\u201d Kershaw added. \u201cI know he deserves it, and he\u2019s going to be a great player. It\u2019s just for me, personally, I think for a lot of guys on the team, it was disappointing to see [Barnes] go.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the door on Barnes\u2019 Dodgers career closes, however, a new one is opening for Rushing.<\/p>\n

And one night in, the early results were promising.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe last mile of his development is helping lead a major league staff,\u201d Friedman said. \u201cWe felt like now is the right time to give him that opportunity, and for us to learn some things about him that you can\u2019t know until they\u2019re at the major-league level, and for him to experience the speed of game here, which will be insightful for all of us in terms of the next set of things to work on.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
\n
\n

It\u2019s part of the reason why, during the second half of last season, they experimented with him in left field; a position where, at the time, he had a clearer pathway to regular playing time.<\/p>\n

This offseason, however, the club decided to rededicate his focus to his duties behind the plate, \u201cchallenging him,\u201d as president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman put it, to improve his defensive fundamentals, pitching-calling during games and ability to build rapport with members of the pitching staff.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Dalton<\/picture>\n
\n
Dalton Rushing is congratulated by first base coach Chris Woodward after his first major league hit.<\/div>\n
(Gina Ferazzi\/Los Angeles Times)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s continued to improve and get better,\u201d Friedman said. \u201cWhen we drafted him, he was new to catching. So there were a lot of areas to improve upon. But his work ethic is off the charts. And he really cares about being great. Each challenge we\u2019ve given him, he\u2019s met that challenge. And the success he\u2019s had, there\u2019s also an important element of having our finger on the pulse of that with guys, in terms of moving them up.\u201d<\/p>\n

And over the last couple weeks, the ways Rushing could potentially impact the club\u2019s MLB roster became increasingly more clear.<\/p>\n

Two weeks ago, the Dodgers sorely missed a left-handed bat like his off the bench in a May 4 loss in Atlanta, a game that ended with Barnes and fellow soft-hitting veteran Miguel Rojas recording outs in tough right-on-right matchups against Braves closer Raisel Iglesias.<\/p>\n

In Barnes\u2019 final Dodgers start last Saturday in Arizona, his weakened throwing arm was also exposed, the Diamondbacks stealing three bases in a game Barnes one-hopped one throw to second base and airmailed another to the outfield.<\/p>\n

Perhaps, if the Dodgers weren\u2019t facing the prospect of a tight division race in this year\u2019s talented National League West, such problems would have been more tolerable. But, with the team\u2019s MLB-best 29-15 record affording them just a one-game division lead so far this year, it\u2019s already become clear that fine margins could matter this season.<\/p>\n

So, once the Dodgers returned home from their 10-game trip this week, the front office decided to pull the trigger.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
<\/picture><\/a>It\u2019s part of the reason why, during the second half of last season, they experimented with him in left field; a position where, at the time, he had a clearer pathway to regular playing time.<\/p>\n

This offseason, however, the club decided to rededicate his focus to his duties behind the plate, \u201cchallenging him,\u201d as president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman put it, to improve his defensive fundamentals, pitching-calling during games and ability to build rapport with members of the pitching staff.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Dalton<\/picture>\n
\n
Dalton Rushing is congratulated by first base coach Chris Woodward after his first major league hit.<\/div>\n
(Gina Ferazzi\/Los Angeles Times)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s continued to improve and get better,\u201d Friedman said. \u201cWhen we drafted him, he was new to catching. So there were a lot of areas to improve upon. But his work ethic is off the charts. And he really cares about being great. Each challenge we\u2019ve given him, he\u2019s met that challenge. And the success he\u2019s had, there\u2019s also an important element of having our finger on the pulse of that with guys, in terms of moving them up.\u201d<\/p>\n

And over the last couple weeks, the ways Rushing could potentially impact the club\u2019s MLB roster became increasingly more clear.<\/p>\n

Two weeks ago, the Dodgers sorely missed a left-handed bat like his off the bench in a May 4 loss in Atlanta, a game that ended with Barnes and fellow soft-hitting veteran Miguel Rojas recording outs in tough right-on-right matchups against Braves closer Raisel Iglesias.<\/p>\n

In Barnes\u2019 final Dodgers start last Saturday in Arizona, his weakened throwing arm was also exposed, the Diamondbacks stealing three bases in a game Barnes one-hopped one throw to second base and airmailed another to the outfield.<\/p>\n

Perhaps, if the Dodgers weren\u2019t facing the prospect of a tight division race in this year\u2019s talented National League West, such problems would have been more tolerable. But, with the team\u2019s MLB-best 29-15 record affording them just a one-game division lead so far this year, it\u2019s already become clear that fine margins could matter this season.<\/p>\n

So, once the Dodgers returned home from their 10-game trip this week, the front office decided to pull the trigger.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
<\/picture><\/a>It\u2019s part of the reason why, during the second half of last season, they experimented with him in left field; a position where, at the time, he had a clearer pathway to regular playing time.<\/p>\n

This offseason, however, the club decided to rededicate his focus to his duties behind the plate, \u201cchallenging him,\u201d as president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman put it, to improve his defensive fundamentals, pitching-calling during games and ability to build rapport with members of the pitching staff.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Dalton<\/picture>\n
\n
Dalton Rushing is congratulated by first base coach Chris Woodward after his first major league hit.<\/div>\n
(Gina Ferazzi\/Los Angeles Times)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s continued to improve and get better,\u201d Friedman said. \u201cWhen we drafted him, he was new to catching. So there were a lot of areas to improve upon. But his work ethic is off the charts. And he really cares about being great. Each challenge we\u2019ve given him, he\u2019s met that challenge. And the success he\u2019s had, there\u2019s also an important element of having our finger on the pulse of that with guys, in terms of moving them up.\u201d<\/p>\n

And over the last couple weeks, the ways Rushing could potentially impact the club\u2019s MLB roster became increasingly more clear.<\/p>\n

Two weeks ago, the Dodgers sorely missed a left-handed bat like his off the bench in a May 4 loss in Atlanta, a game that ended with Barnes and fellow soft-hitting veteran Miguel Rojas recording outs in tough right-on-right matchups against Braves closer Raisel Iglesias.<\/p>\n

In Barnes\u2019 final Dodgers start last Saturday in Arizona, his weakened throwing arm was also exposed, the Diamondbacks stealing three bases in a game Barnes one-hopped one throw to second base and airmailed another to the outfield.<\/p>\n

Perhaps, if the Dodgers weren\u2019t facing the prospect of a tight division race in this year\u2019s talented National League West, such problems would have been more tolerable. But, with the team\u2019s MLB-best 29-15 record affording them just a one-game division lead so far this year, it\u2019s already become clear that fine margins could matter this season.<\/p>\n

So, once the Dodgers returned home from their 10-game trip this week, the front office decided to pull the trigger.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
<\/picture><\/a>It\u2019s part of the reason why, during the second half of last season, they experimented with him in left field; a position where, at the time, he had a clearer pathway to regular playing time.<\/p>\n

This offseason, however, the club decided to rededicate his focus to his duties behind the plate, \u201cchallenging him,\u201d as president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman put it, to improve his defensive fundamentals, pitching-calling during games and ability to build rapport with members of the pitching staff.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Dalton<\/picture>\n
\n
Dalton Rushing is congratulated by first base coach Chris Woodward after his first major league hit.<\/div>\n
(Gina Ferazzi\/Los Angeles Times)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s continued to improve and get better,\u201d Friedman said. \u201cWhen we drafted him, he was new to catching. So there were a lot of areas to improve upon. But his work ethic is off the charts. And he really cares about being great. Each challenge we\u2019ve given him, he\u2019s met that challenge. And the success he\u2019s had, there\u2019s also an important element of having our finger on the pulse of that with guys, in terms of moving them up.\u201d<\/p>\n

And over the last couple weeks, the ways Rushing could potentially impact the club\u2019s MLB roster became increasingly more clear.<\/p>\n

Two weeks ago, the Dodgers sorely missed a left-handed bat like his off the bench in a May 4 loss in Atlanta, a game that ended with Barnes and fellow soft-hitting veteran Miguel Rojas recording outs in tough right-on-right matchups against Braves closer Raisel Iglesias.<\/p>\n

In Barnes\u2019 final Dodgers start last Saturday in Arizona, his weakened throwing arm was also exposed, the Diamondbacks stealing three bases in a game Barnes one-hopped one throw to second base and airmailed another to the outfield.<\/p>\n

Perhaps, if the Dodgers weren\u2019t facing the prospect of a tight division race in this year\u2019s talented National League West, such problems would have been more tolerable. But, with the team\u2019s MLB-best 29-15 record affording them just a one-game division lead so far this year, it\u2019s already become clear that fine margins could matter this season.<\/p>\n

So, once the Dodgers returned home from their 10-game trip this week, the front office decided to pull the trigger.<\/p>\n

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Shohei Ohtani runs the bases after hitting a three-run homer against the Athletics in the third inning. (Gina Ferazzi \/ Los Angeles Times) As is typically the… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-48581","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-mlb"],"yoast_head":"\nShohei Ohtani homers twice, Dalton Rushing has strong debut as Dodgers rout Athletics - 24\/7 News America<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=48581\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Shohei Ohtani homers twice, Dalton Rushing has strong debut as Dodgers rout Athletics - 24\/7 News America\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Shohei Ohtani runs the bases after hitting a three-run homer against the Athletics in the third inning. 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