After waiting for six games, Will Smith finally hit the Dodgers' first home run of spring training.

The last time the Dodgers failed to hit a home run in the first five regular-season games was more than ten years ago. This spring, the two-time defending champions started with five straight wins but still couldn't drive a ball over the fence.

Naturally, nobody was truly worried about this lack of power. It's just spring training; these games hold no real significance other than preparing for the official season.

But at last, the homerless record was broken. The one who ended the drought was the same player who hit the Dodgers' final home run of last season. Will Smith launched a game-tying solo shot in the fifth inning during today's 7-6 victory over the Chicago White Sox at Camelback Ranch, becoming the author of the Dodgers' first spring training homer this year.

Smith's home run last season carried far greater weight than today's blast. His go-ahead homer in the 11th inning of Game 7 of the World Series off Shane Bieber proved to be the winning run, securing the Dodgers' first back-to-back championships in 25 years.

Even so, it seems fitting that Smith became the first to homer this spring.

"I guess he's the bridge guy—the last homer of last season, the first homer of spring training," manager Dave Roberts said. "I think it's appropriate… He's swinging the bat well, and once he joins Team USA, we'll be down another key player."

After Smith's homer, the floodgates opened. Non-roster invitees Keston Hiura and Hyeseong Kim went back-to-back an inning later, putting the Dodgers back in front. The Dodgers remain undefeated in spring training so far—and again, while the overall performance has been solid, it holds little significance in the grand scheme.

The Dodgers are already short-handed and will soon lose more key players. Shohei Ohtani has already departed for the Classic. Hyeseong Kim will leave after today's game, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto will depart after his start tomorrow. Will Smith and Edwin Díaz will follow after this weekend. Not to mention, Mookie Betts has yet to appear in a Cactus League spring training game as he eases into action.

Needless to say, the Dodgers aren't trying to win in spring training, nor do they care about a temporary lack of power at this stage. But they are pleased with what they're doing right.

"The guys are having good at-bats, the swings are good," Roberts said. "I keep talking about quality at-bats, and I like what we're doing. Defensively, guys are making plays. The pitchers who threw today, especially those who will be with us to start the season, looked good. It's nice to see. We're putting it together piece by piece."