Dodgers stay hot, back Walker Buehler’s return with 4 home runs
Buehler is rough around the edges in his first major-league start since June 2022, but four home runs in the first three innings propel the Dodgers to a 6-3 victory, their 12th win in the past 14 games
Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. Buehler allowed three runs on six hits in four innings in his first major league start since June 10, 2022, and the Dodgers won, 6-3. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. Buehler allowed three runs on six hits in four innings in his first major league start since June 10, 2022, and the Dodgers won, 6-3. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers second baseman Gavin Lux, left, jumps over the Miami Marlins’ Jesús Sánchez at second base during the first inning on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Miami Marlins’ Jazz Chisholm Jr., left, steals second base ahead of a tag by Dodgers second baseman Gavin Lux (9) during the first inning on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Miami Marlins’ Jazz Chisholm Jr., left, reacts after stealing second base ahead of a tag by Dodgers second baseman Gavin Lux during the first inning on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Miami Marlins’ Tim Anderson, right, reacts as designated hitter Bryan De La Cruz (14) scores on a single hit by Jesús Sánchez during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani adjusts his helmet while batting during the first inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Miami Marlins starting pitcher Roddery Muñoz throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a two-run home run during the first inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a two-run home run during the first inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a two-run home run during the first inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani tosses his bat after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrates with teammates Freddie Freeman (5) and Mookie Betts, right, as he crosses home plate after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrates with teammates Freddie Freeman, left, and Mookie Betts, right, after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, right, celebrates with teammate Freddie Freeman after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani celebrates with teammate Teoscar Hernández (37) as he returns to the dugout after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani celebrates amid a sunflower seed shower as he returns to the dugout after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani returns to the dugout after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani celebrates in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Freddie Freeman hits a solo home run during the first inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Freddie Freeman begins to run the bases after hitting a home run during the first inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Freddie Freeman gestures as he runs the bases after hitting a home run during the first inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Freddie Freeman runs the bases after hitting a home run during the first inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Freddie Freeman has sunflower seeds thrown at him as he returns to the dugout after hitting a home run during the first inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Freddie Freeman, left, celebrates with teammate Teoscar Hernández as he returns to the dugout after hitting a home run during the first inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Freddie Freeman celebrates in the dugout after hitting a home run during the first inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. Buehler allowed three runs on six hits in four innings in his first major league start since June 10, 2022, and the Dodgers won, 6-3. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Miami Marlins’ Nick Gordon runs the bases after hitting a home run during the second inning of their game against the Dodgers on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Miami Marlins’ Nick Gordon, left, celebrates with teammate Vidal Bruján after hitting a home run during the second inning of their game against the Dodgers on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Miami Marlins’ Nick Gordon celebrates after hitting a home run during the second inning of their game against the Dodgers on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Miami Marlins’ Nick Gordon celebrates in the dugout after hitting a home run during the second inning of their game against the Dodgers on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ James Outman, right, celebrates with teammate Gavin Lux after hitting a two-run home run during the second inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ James Outman, left, celebrates with teammate Shohei Ohtani after hitting a home run during the second inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Dodgers’ James Outman celebrates as he returns to the dugout amid a sunflower seed shower after hitting a home run during the second inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Dodgers’ James Outman celebrates in the dugout after hitting a home run during the second inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani reacts after striking out during the second inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernández runs the bases after hitting a home run during the third inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Dodgers’ James Outman, left, celebrates with teammate Gavin Lux as he runs the bases after hitting a home run during the second inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernández, left, celebrates with teammate Mookie Betts after hitting a home run during the third inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernández celerbates in the dugout after hitting a home run during the third inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Mookie Betts hits a single during the fourth inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Mookie Betts runs to first base after hitting a single during the fourth inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a single during the fourth inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a single during the fourth inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits during the fourth inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani runs to first base after hitting a single during the fourth inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers relief pitcher Ryan Yarbrough throws to the plate during the fifth inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, left, is greeted by third base coach Dino Ebel after the sixth inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers first base coach Clayton McCullough, left, talks with Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, right, in the dugout during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins in Los Angeles, Monday, May 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers relief pitcher Ryan Yarbrough throws to the plate during the fifth inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers relief pitcher Alex Vesia, left, celebrates with catcher Will Smith after the final out of their 6-3 victory over the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman, left, celebrates with teammate Shohei Ohtani after their 6-3 victory over the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers left fielder Teoscar Hernández, center, celebrates with designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, right, after their 6-3 victory over the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani stands in the dugout during the first inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Mookie Betts participates in batting practice before a baseball game against the Miami Marlins in Los Angeles, Monday, May 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers outfielder James Outman participates in batting practice before Monday’s game against the Miami Marlins at Dodger Stadium. Outman entered Monday’s game batting .165 with an OPS of just .559. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Mookie Betts participates in batting practice before a baseball game against the Miami Marlins in Los Angeles, Monday, May 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers outfielder Jason Heyward participates in batting practice before a baseball game against the Miami Marlins in Los Angeles, Monday, May 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers outfielder James Outman participates in batting practice before Monday’s game against the Miami Marlins at Dodger Stadium. Outman entered Monday’s game batting .165 with an OPS of just .559. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers welcomed Walker Buehler back with the kind of support you hope to get from your co-workers when you’ve been out of the office for awhile.
The Dodgers hit four home runs in the first three innings and Buehler made his first start since June 2022 in a 6-3 victory over the Miami Marlins on Monday night.
“I think the ceremony of it is done. Now I can kind of focus on trying to be good and helping our team,” Buehler said. “I wish it would’ve gone better. I wish I would’ve thrown five or six shutout innings and whatever. But it’s done, and I’m happy to be back.”
Buehler gave up runs in each of the first two innings, put up zeroes in the next two and finished his comeback start after four innings. He allowed three runs on six hits, didn’t walk a batter (hit one) and struck out four.
“It’s huge,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Buehler’s return. “When we put together this roster … he was right there in the center of it. And so to get him back, it’s going to make everyone around him better.
“Getting a staple part of the rotation with his track record, the compete, having him as an active player in the dugout, being an active member of the team, that’s impactful. So I really do believe this is the floor and it’s only going to get better as far as the the execution, the ability to go deeper in games and things like that as he gets his legs under him.”
The win was the Dodgers’ fifth in a row and 12th in their past 14 games, a dominant stretch that has seen them outscore their opponents 99-28.
Over those 14 games, the Dodgers have hit 25 home runs. Even with all those longballs, the Dodgers have managed to give them some new wrinkles. . That was followed by .
Monday’s first was back-to-back homers by Ohtani and Freddie Freeman in the first inning, the first back-to-back homers by the Dodgers this season.
Named the National League Player of the Week for last week, Ohtani added an eighth day to the week. His 441-foot missile launch in the first inning Monday (following a Mookie Betts walk) was his fourth in a span of nine at-bats stretching to Saturday night and extended a consecutive hit streak to six.
, James Outman showed signs of life with his first home run since April 9, another two-run shot in the second inning. And in the third, Teoscar Hernandez sent a solo shot into the left field pavilion, the fourth home run from the first 15 batters Marlins starter Roddery Munoz faced.
The main attraction, though, was Buehler’s first major-league start since June 10, 2022.
In the 23 months since then, Buehler underwent, rehabilitated and recovered from surgery to repair the flexor tendon in his pitching elbow as well as Tommy John surgery (his second) with the new bracing technique. Buehler’s surgeon, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, was on hand to watch his return.
“I thought he looked really good. That stuff is still electric,” Freeman said. “Second Tommy John, two years (recovering) – I can’t imagine the nerves, the adrenaline, the emotion. I thought he did really good.
“It’s nice to have him back.”
Buehler topped out at 97.6 mph with a first-inning fastball, allaying any concerns about how much of his velocity had returned during his six adrenaline-deficient minor-league rehab starts.
“It made sense with how amped up I was feeling or how fast my heart was going, I guess,” said Buehler, whose fastball was mostly in the 92-94 mph range during his rehab starts. “I wasn’t super surprised, but you think about 22 months and now three surgeries and dealing with that kind of stuff. To be able to – I think the first fastball was 96 and I looked (at the scoreboard) and, ‘Okay.’ You kind of get that, ‘I belong here again’ thing. It was cool.”
Buehler acknowledged that rediscovering his fastball velocity was a relief.
“I didn’t think there was 98 in there still or 97 or whatever it was,” he said. “The adrenaline of being back, normally I try and temper that and I’ve been somewhat concerned about the velocity a little bit. So you kind of try and ride it and see what’s in there. I think the next one I’ll probably feel the same and be able to temper it a little bit knowing that it’s in there. I think I’ll probably have a little bit higher expectations of myself in my next outing, but I feel pretty good about coming out of it, walking in and my arm can be fully straight. That felt pretty good.”
Buehler’s game is still rough around the edges. He gave up two runs on three hits in his first inning, getting to two strikes to four of the six batters he faced but not getting his first strikeout until the ninth batter in the second inning. Nick Gordon led off that inning with a solo home run, his fly ball to the wall in right field going off Andy Pages’ glove as Pages reached over the scoreboard.
“The first two innings obviously weren’t as successful as I wanted, but most of those were on two-strike, or 0-0 and kind of the last things that you can sharpen up,” Buehler said. “I guess it was kind of the right kind of mistakes for me, at least mentally.”
Buehler began to find his footing in the third and fourth innings, striking out three and giving up just one more hit. The Dodgers had projected an 80-85 pitch range for Buehler’s comeback start and Roberts pulled him after 77 pitches in four innings.
“It was great to see him back on the mound, pitching for us in the big leagues. It’s been a long road for him,” Dodgers catcher Will Smith said. “I was just glad to see him back, out there getting his feet wet again. It took him a couple innings to settle in then two zeroes in the third and fourth. I’m just happy he’s back and looking forward to the next one.”
Ryan Yarbrough, Blake Treinen and Alex Vesia combined on five scoreless innings in relief of Buehler with Vesia getting the first save opportunity since Evan Phillips went on the injured list.
Shohei Ohtani.
You, sir, are HOT. 🔥
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA)
Back-to-back dingers for the lead! 💣
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA)
James Outman puts the Dodgers back in front!
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA)
When the outfielder doesn't even move, you know it was CRUSHED!
