Sheehan and Casparius fulfill their dreams at Fenway as Ohtani hits a single, leading the Dodgers to victory over the Red Sox.

Emmet Sheehan overcame a shaky start today at Fenway Park, helping the Dodgers secure a 5-2 win against the Red Sox,taking the first game of the series. The right-handed pitcher, who previously played at Boston College, threw five innings to earn the win, striking out five while allowing three hits and two runs.

"I wasn't at my best today," Sheehan admitted, "but I had to adjust fully on the field, and I gradually found my rhythm in the later innings." Roberts praised him for his "excellent emotional management, consistently delivering good pitches in crucial moments."

The New England story reaches a happy ending: local hero Ben Casparius returned from a calf cramp injury to achieve his first career save in the ninth inning. "It's especially meaningful to team up with Sheehan for the save," said the rookie reliever, "it's great to start the road trip this way." Sheehan added, "I knew him during the draft; he was a Red Sox fan as a kid, and he must be even more excited tonight."

Sheehan's start was not smooth: he walked lead-off hitter Jarren Duran on ten pitches in the first inning, using 32 pitches to escape the inning. After a quick six-pitch third inning, he allowed three consecutive hits in the third, bringing the Red Sox to 3-2. However, he adjusted in time: he struck out three batters in a row in the fourth and ended the fifth inning with another six pitches.

"I wasn't at my best today," Sheehan admitted, "but I had to adjust fully on the field, and I gradually found my rhythm in the later innings." Roberts praised him for his "excellent emotional management, consistently delivering good pitches in crucial moments."

In terms of lineup support: Tommy Edman hit a run-scoring single in the second inning, and Teoscar Hernández blasted a two-run homer measured at 415 feet by Statcast in the eighth to seal the victory. Hernández also drew a bases-loaded walk for an RBI, which Roberts highlighted as "crucial, and then adding the home run further extended the lead."

With Blake Snell set to return and the July 31 trade deadline approaching, competition for the Dodgers' starting rotation is fierce. Sheehan (with a record of 2 wins and 1 loss, and an ERA of 4.22) or Dustin May, who may start next Monday, could face rotation adjustments. When asked if this series was a test for the rotation, Roberts candidly replied, "Indeed. They need to convince the coaching staff with their performance."

Dodgers' Japanese star Shohei Ohtani returned to the lead-off role today due to Mookie Betts' absence, going 1-for-4 with a walk, scoring one run, and striking out twice.