Dodgers beat Padres 5-2 in historic MLB season opener in Seoul

The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the San Diego Padres 5-2 to start the 2024 MLB season on Wednesday, capitalizing on a strong eighth inning to take the lead in front of a packed international crowd in Seoul.

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani heads to first for an RBI single during the eighth inning of an opening day game against the San Diego Padres at Gocheok Sky Dome in western Seoul on Wednesday. [AP/YONHAP]

The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the San Diego Padres 5-2 to start the 2024 MLB season on Wednesday, capitalizing on a strong eighth inning to take the lead in front of a packed international crowd in Seoul.

It was a late comeback for the Dodgers at Gocheok Sky Dome in western Seoul, the two big league clubs starting the season in Korea before jetting back to the U.S. for the schedule to resume in a couple of weeks.

It was the Padres that drew first blood in Seoul, Xander Bogaerts bringing home Tyler Wade with an RBI single off Dodgers’ starter Tyler Glasnow at the bottom of the third. That hit also made Bogaerts the first hitter in big league history to get a hit in five countries: United States, Canada, Britain, Mexico and now Korea.

The Dodgers responded quickly, Teoscar Hernandez tying things up at the top of the fourth on a Jason Heyward sac fly after reaching second on a throwing error. The Padres pulled ahead again at the bottom of the inning, Manny Machado making it home as Luis Campusano grounded into a double play with no outs.

That 2-1 lead held for the next three innings as the bullpens battled it out. The Dodgers broke through in the eighth, Jose Azocar crossing the plate on an Enrique Hernandez sac fly to tie things up

But what happened next was so bizarre that the bookie's odds on it ever happening again must be phenomenal. The Dodgers got their go ahead run officially on a fielder's choice, but what actually happened was the ball broke clean through the middle of Jake Cronenworth's glove, preventing what would have been an inning-ending double play.

Instead, Teoscar Hernandez crossed the plate, followed by James Outman on a Mookie Betts single and Gavin Lux on a Shohei Ohtani single, and the game was won.

Daniel Hudson took the win with one hit and one strikeout in one inning of work, while Jhony Brito was stick with the L with one earned run and a walk on one third of an inning pitched.

Local star Kim Ha-seong of the Padres 0-for-3 at the plate and drew a walk.

Los Angeles Dodgers' wesFtinto a fielder's choice as San Diego Padres shortstop Kim Ha-seong tries to throw out Smith at first during the fifth inning of an opening day game at Gocheok Sky Dome in western Seoul on Wednesday. [AP/YONHAP]

The Korean element of the first ever Seoul Series was clearly visible throughout the game. Both the Dodgers and Padres had recruited Korean cheerleading teams who came complete with dedicated cheers for each player.

Whether the players got the full effect of the cheers is unclear — Koreanizing non-Korean names is difficult at the best of times, with Freeman becoming three syllables and James Outman requiring six. The attempt was there, and the players definitely enjoyed the noise even if they could not follow the words.

The Padres’ Swinging Friar was a common fixture throughout the stands, with the Dodgers borrowing the Kiwoom Heroes’ mascots for the duration of the game. The LG Twins’ mascots were also in attendance, taking part in a cross-stadium dance off with the Heroes contingent at one point during the game. The Swinging Friar, perhaps wisely, stayed well away.

Although the Korean presence was strong, the crowd was very international, a large number of home fans appearing to have made the journey and an equally large number of Japanese supporters completing their Ohtani pilgrimage.

The mixed crowd made for a more communal affair, with elements of U.S. baseball culture creeping through that were absent from the four exhibition games. The seventh inning stretch actually seemed to land this time, with a rousing rendition of “Take me out to the ball game” clearly audible. At one point, somebody at the back of G-Dragon’s box attempted to start “Who let the dogs out.”

The game was preceded by a performance from K-pop girl group aespa, which also served as an opportunity to see the full potential of Gocheok Sky Dome’s newly-installed LED flood lighting and the synchronized wrist lights left on every seat. The effect was impressive and was utilized to good effect throughout the game.

Wednesday’s game was the first of the two-game Seoul Series, with the two teams set to return on Thursday evening for Game 2. The Dodgers will act as home team for the second game.

BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]