Shohei Ohtani avoided a far worse outcome after taking a line drive off his right leg and then dealing with a tough night on the mound, but the Dodgers still fell 8-3 to the Colorado Rockies.
Two hours after the scare, Ohtani told an interpreter that he had dodged the worst-case scenario, and that he would focus on treatment. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the ball struck him in the thigh, not the knee, and that while it got him, he hoped the injury wouldn’t be serious. Ohtani said he’d work to ensure it doesn’t affect him moving forward.
The night still belonged to Colorado in the box score. Ohtani’s roughest start in nearly five years stretched into 8 1/3 innings across two lousy outings, with the right-hander giving up a season-high five runs on a season-high nine hits. Rockies catcher Orlando Arcia punctuated the night by lining a two-strike single back up the middle after the ball clipped Ohtani above the knee and caromed down the first-base line for an RBI.
Ohtani limped off after three more batters in the fourth and, after drawing a walk as the Dodgers’ designated hitter in the top of the fifth, was pulled from the game as the Dodgers trailed 5-0. Roberts said he pulled him because the leg was stiffening and there was swelling, and it was a wise move given the heavy workload of the Dodgers in a stretch of 19 games without a break.
Despite the concern over Ohtani’s health, the rest of the Dodgers’ plans proceeded. Roberts had already planned to give Ohtani a day off Thursday ahead of a three-game series in San Diego, a plan that remains in place. Ohtani, meanwhile, expressed a determination to stay on track and avoid letting the scare derail his season.
Coors Field delivered another challenging environment for Ohtani, and the Dodgers were unable to capitalize on it. Colorado finished with 16 hits, building on early momentum as the Rockies pushed the lead to 5-0 in the fourth.
For Los Angeles, the result tightened the NL West standings: with the Rockies’ win and San Francisco’s loss, the Dodgers’ advantage shrank to a single game. The team will look to rebound in San Diego as the schedule remains grueling.
Other notes from the Dodgers’ day: utilityman Kiké Hernández appeared in a triple-A rehab game for Oklahoma City, going 2-for-3 with a double and RBI before leaving as a pinch-hitter in the seventh; left elbow inflammation has kept him out since July 7, with expectations he could rejoin the Dodgers next week. Relievers Kirby Yates and Tanner Scott also threw rehab innings for Oklahoma City and could rejoin over the weekend. The Dodgers recalled right-hander Paul Gervase and optioned Alexis Diaz; Gervase debuted for L.A. against Colorado, allowing a run in two innings.
Summary: Ohtani’s scare and a difficult night on the mound overshadowed a Dodgers loss, but the team remains in control of the division with a pivotal road trip ahead. The next few days will show how his leg responds and whether the team can stay on track through back-to-back series against rivals.
Additional notes and context:
– Ohtani’s health update will be key in the immediate term, given the heavy upcoming workload.
– The Dodgers face a crucial three-game set in San Diego, with a chance to split the series and preserve the division lead.
– The team’s depth will be tested if Ohtani needs time to recover, making the next few games especially important for bullpen management and rotation decisions.
Overall, the night was a cautionary reminder of how quickly a game can hinge on an injury scare, but the Dodgers have opportunities to reset and push forward with a demanding schedule ahead. If you’d like, I can provide a concise game recap or a brief player-by-player breakdown for quick posting.