Shohei Ohtani’s solo blast fueled a lightning-fast pitcher's duel at Dodger Stadium, marking the Los Angeles Dodgers' quickest home victory in over four decades during a historic defensive masterclass.
In a sentence that doesn't seem real, the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays, 1-0, in a game that lasted just one hour, 52 minutes.
Shohei Ohtani's sixth-inning homer was all that was needed for fans of Dodger Stadium to go home happy, assuming they didn't have to make a drive longer than the game lasted itself.
The pitching clock has helped trim games down, and the new ABS Challenge system is something that could've brought the time back up slightly. At the end of the day, it's clear anything can happen in any given game.
These two teams combined for nine hits but Ohtani's homer was the lone run in a game that set numerous records for the Dodgers.
Quickest Dodgers Game Since 1992
One would have to go back to October 4, 1992, for the last time the Dodgers had a game this short. That one was one the road, so it's incredible to think it's been even longer since Dodger Stadium witnessed a game this short.
As for the 1992 game, that one lasted one hour, 44 minutes.
Coincidentally, this matches the quickest home game for the Dodgers in franchise history. Back on April 29, 1982, fans at Dodger Stadium saw that game go one hour, 52 minutes, the same exact time it took for the Dodgers to defeat the Rays on June 17, 2026.
Dave Roberts on the Pace
"The pace of play was great. There was a rhythm to it," Roberts said. "To win an old-school baseball game, 1-0, under two hours, really fun baseball game to be a part of."
Drew Rasmussen took his third loss of the year despite giving up only one run. He threw 102 of the Rays 109 pitches, an incredible mark that really added to the old-school vibe. Cam Booser came in relief and worked a seven-pitch, eighth-inning where all but one of his pitches were for a strike.
On the Dodgers side, Justin Wrobleski threw 67 of the team's 100 pitches. All three relievers threw 10-12 pitches, with all 10 of Kyle Hurt's being for strikes. These pitchers got in, and got out as they consistently pounded the strike zone in a sub-two hour contest.
Fastest Nine-Inning Game on Record: 51 Minutes
MLB.com's Manny Randhawa wrote a piece in 2025 on the fastest MLB games this century. Shockingly, the Dodgers/Rays 1:51 mark wouldn't even make the Top 10.
All-time, Randhawa mentioned the fastest nine-inning game on record, a 51-minute, 6-1 victory for the New York Giants over the Phillies in 1919.
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