OGNSC Staff | Los Angeles News Observer
The Dodgers’ past week offered a little bit of everything: late-inning stress, uneven pitching, missed opportunities, and enough star power to steady the club as it moved through a demanding June stretch.
Through Tuesday night’s completed games, Los Angeles went 4-3 over seven games, beginning with a 9-8 loss at Pittsburgh on June 10 and ending with a 1-0 win over Tampa Bay at Dodger Stadium on June 16. In between, the Dodgers beat the Pirates 8-6, lost two of three to the Chicago White Sox, then returned home to take the first two games of their series against the Rays.
Tuesday’s win was the kind that can matter later in the season. Shohei Ohtani broke a scoreless tie with a solo home run in the sixth inning, and Justin Wrobleski delivered six shutout innings in a crisp 1-hour, 52-minute pitchers’ duel. Wrobleski allowed only three singles, struck out five and did not walk a batter. Will Klein, Kyle Hurt and Tanner Scott each followed with a scoreless inning, with Scott earning his ninth save.
It was also a reminder that the Dodgers do not always need a lineup explosion to win. The club’s identity remains tied to big swings and big names, but championship-caliber teams also win the 1-0 games in June. For a Los Angeles fan base that expects October baseball, Tuesday’s formula — one timely swing, clean starting pitching and an efficient bullpen — was a welcome sign.
Ohtani’s performance carried extra attention because of his recent left knee inflammation. He left last Thursday’s game in Pittsburgh, sat out Friday in Chicago, then returned as designated hitter over the weekend and earlier this week. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the swelling had “completely dissipated,” giving the club confidence Ohtani would be fine.
The Dodgers’ week was not perfect. The White Sox series showed how quickly momentum can shift. Los Angeles followed Friday’s 8-2 loss with a 7-1 win Saturday, only to drop Sunday’s game 6-4. That inconsistency is worth watching, especially as the club balances the demands of a long season, a rotation shaped by health questions and a lineup expected to carry heavy expectations.
Still, the home series against Tampa Bay helped reset the tone. The Dodgers won 4-3 on Monday before Tuesday’s shutout, giving them consecutive one-run wins against a Rays team that pushed them deep into close-game situations.
The bigger picture is simple: the Dodgers remain one of baseball’s measuring-stick teams, but this week showed the work required to stay there. Some nights will be powered by Ohtani’s bat. Others will depend on six clean innings from Wrobleski, a bullpen that does not blink, and a defense that avoids giving away extra chances.
As summer deepens, Los Angeles is not chasing headlines as much as habits. This past week showed both the flaws and the foundation — and for the Dodgers, that foundation remains strong enough to keep the city believing.