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Freeway Series: Kochanowicz, Ohtani look sharp as Angels top Dodgers in finale

March 25, 2026

Dodgers starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani throws to the plate during the second inning of a Freeway Series exhibition game against the Angels on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

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LOS ANGELES — A seemingly mismatched pair gave spring training a proper sendoff.

Jack Kochanowicz and Shohei Ohtani put on an early show as the Angels earned a 3-0 victory over the Dodgers to close out the three-game Freeway Series. Each team won a game with Monday’s game ending in a 7-7 tie.

Kochanowicz’s three hitless innings with four strikeouts were impressive, only to see Ohtani finish with 11 strikeouts in four-plus innings in an early evening start (5 p.m.) at Dodger Stadium.

The Dodgers now await the arrival of the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday to begin the defense of their second consecutive World Series championship. The Angels will travel to Houston chasing substantial growth under first-time manager Kurt Suzuki.

Leaning into his changeup, Kochanowicz held back what is presumably the Dodgers’ Opening Day lineup with Ohtani at the top followed by the likes of Kyle Tucker, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Will Smith, Max Muncy and Teoscar Hernandez.

“That’s a great confidence booster for the season,” said Kochanowicz, who finished with a 1.62 ERA in five spring appearances (four starts). “It’s always fun to throw against these guys. It brings it out a little more. But yeah, it was good today.”

And yet it was Ohtani who captivated the audience, as he is known to do. In just his second spring start, after spending time with Japan’s team in the World Baseball Classic, Ohtani’s 11 strikeouts included two against former teammate Mike Trout.

“I thought he looked good to punch out 11 guys in four innings,” catcher Will Smith said. “I know it’s only the second one but yeah, I think he feels good. He looked good for me catching. Yeah, he’s in a good spot.”

Kochanowicz kept his head down during his outing, then looked up after his three innings were complete to get a sense of what Ohtani was up to.

“Honestly, I could not believe it when I looked up and he had 10 strikeouts (at the time),” Kochanowicz said. “I’m not someone who normally strikes out the world and I felt like I had a few strikeouts today. Then you look up and it’s like ‘What?’ Yeah, he’s amazing.”

The Angels finally got their offense in motion by opening the fifth inning with consecutive singles from Josh Lowe, Travis d’Arnaud and Oswald Peraza to score the first run of the game. Left-hander Antoine Kelly entered and allowed two more Ohtani baserunners to score on a single and two walks.

Jeimer Candelario, who is expected to make the Angels’ Opening Day roster, had the second bases-loaded walk against Kelly to give the Angels a 3-0 lead.

Ohtani had the Dodgers’ first hit with a single in the fourth inning. He finished the spring batting .308 with an .819 OPS, while striking out 15 batters in 8⅓ innings in his two starts.

More to come on this story.

Freeway Series: Kochanowicz, Ohtani look sharp as Angels top Dodgers in finale Orange County Register

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Freeway Series: Kochanowicz, Ohtani look sharp as Angels top Dodgers in finale

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