Dodgers Show Signs of Life After Series Win Over Reds
The Los Angeles Dodgers may finally be turning a corner in their midseason slump after a gritty series win over the Cincinnati Reds, despite a scare involving two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani.
By Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer
The Los Angeles Dodgers may finally be turning a corner in their midseason slump after a gritty series win over the Cincinnati Reds, despite a scare involving two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani.
Ohtani Exits Early With Cramping
In the fourth inning of his start against the Reds, Ohtani abruptly left the mound with a trainer after throwing six consecutive balls, including two wild pitches. The 31-year-old exited with a 2-0 count on Spencer Steer due to cramping and lower-body tightness.
Despite the early exit, Ohtani remained in the game as the designated hitter. He later struck out looking in the sixth inning against Reds starter Nick Martinez. The outing marked Ohtani’s seventh start since returning from surgery on his right elbow following the 2023 season, during which he didn’t pitch but still slugged 54 home runs and stole 59 bases—earning him his third MVP award.
This season, he leads the National League with 38 home runs (as of press time).
Shortened Start, Mixed Results
The Dodgers had planned for Ohtani to pitch four innings—his longest outing since his pitching comeback began. He lasted just over three innings, throwing 51 pitches (32 strikes), giving up two runs on five hits, striking out four and walking two.
Noelvi Marte led off the Reds’ fourth with a single and reached third after Ohtani’s wild pitches to Tyler Stephenson. Ohtani walked Stephenson before being replaced by Anthony Banda, who walked Steer and gave up a sacrifice fly that tied the game at 2-2.
Before the outing, Ohtani had a 1.50 ERA and a 4.33 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 12 innings in six appearances. The Dodgers have been cautious with his return, gradually building his workload from one inning to three per outing.
The Dodgers ultimately lost the game 5-2, with the Reds avoiding a series sweep.
The Dodgers’ Will Smith hits a two-out double to score James Outman with the go-ahead run during the ninth inning of their game against the Cincinnati Reds this week in Cincinnati. The Dodgers won, 5-4. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Dodgers Take Series Despite Ohtani Setback
In the series opener, Ohtani extended his hitting streak to nine games with a two-run double in the fifth inning, helping lead the Dodgers to a 5-2 win. Yoshinobu Yamamoto (9-7) pitched seven solid innings, striking out nine. Teoscar Hernández added two hits and two RBIs.
Reds rookie Chase Burns (0-3) recorded his third consecutive game with 10 strikeouts, but is still seeking his first MLB win. He gave up three runs over 5 2/3 innings.
Ohtani’s double came off a 99.4 mph fastball and helped put the Dodgers ahead 3-1. He is batting .306 during the streak, with 13 RBIs and 11 hits in 36 at-bats. He also scored his MLB-leading 100th run on a Freddie Freeman single in the seventh.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised his team’s progress despite high strikeout numbers. “We’ve seen a lot of good swings,” he said. “Some guys have improved even though the strikeouts are still there.”
Walk-Off Win Highlights Game Two
The Dodgers staged a late rally to win the second game of the series 5-4. Will Smith delivered a clutch RBI double in the ninth inning to seal the victory.
It wasn’t Ohtani’s night at the plate—he struck out four times, marking the sixth time in his career he’s done so in a game and the first time it happened in his first four at-bats. The game also snapped his nine-game hitting streak.
Freddie Freeman recorded three hits, including a game-tying RBI single in the seventh. Tommy Edman hit a two-run homer in the first inning.
Former Reds closer Alexis Díaz (1-0), acquired by the Dodgers in May, pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings for the win. Alex Vesia closed the game with a clean ninth for his fourth save.
Jake Fraley and Noelvi Marte homered for Cincinnati. Smith and Freeman each had RBI singles to help erase a 4-2 deficit in the seventh.
Looking Ahead
After splitting series against the Twins and Red Sox, the Dodgers are 4-6 over their last 10 games. They’ll play a two-game set in Tampa before returning home to host the St. Louis Cardinals on August 5.
