SEOUL — The Los Angeles Dodgers showcased their offensive prowess in a commanding 14-3 victory over the Kiwoom Heroes in an exhibition match held at Gocheok Sky Dome, Seoul, in preparation for the upcoming MLB regular season games in South Korea.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Dodgers, led by Freddie Freeman and Jason Heyward, left little doubt of their capabilities against the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) team, delighting the 14,671 fans in attendance. Freeman was notably just a triple short of completing a cycle, while Heyward contributed significantly with four RBIs.
This game precedes a series of international exhibitions and regular season games, including the San Diego Padres' match against the South Korean national team and another game against the KBO's LG Twins. The Dodgers are set to play South Korea next, followed by a two-game series against the Padres, marking the first MLB regular season games to be played in South Korea.
In the game against the Heroes, Japanese star Shohei Ohtani faced off against Kiwoom's starting pitcher Ariel Jurado but struck out in both at-bats. However, the Dodgers quickly moved past these setbacks as Freeman and Heyward propelled the team's lead with early runs.
The Heroes struggled to counter the Dodgers' attack, managing to score their first run off Ryan Brasier in the fourth inning due to aggressive base running by Ronnie Dawson. Despite this effort, the Heroes were unable to bridge the widening gap, with the Dodgers' continuous hits and strategic play extending their lead.
The match underscored the depth of the Dodgers' lineup and the effectiveness of their pitchers, who combined for 15 strikeouts across the game. The significant win sets a strong precedent for the Dodgers as they approach the historic Seoul Series against the Padres.