Shohei Ohtani’s latest start didn’t go as planned, and the Dodgers were left searching for answers after a 8-3 loss to the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday.
Ohtani faced a rough line in his 10th start of the season, allowing five runs on nine hits over four innings. It marked the most hits he’s given up in a game since September 10, 2021, and the trouble was compounded when a comebacker struck him in the thigh during the Rockies’ fourth inning. He finished the frame but immediately began hobbling toward the mound as the Dodgers’ medical staff checked on him.
After the game, Ohtani spoke through an interpreter about the outing. “It’s very regrettable. Put the team in a bad spot. It was just a very regrettable outing that I wish I could have done better,” he said.
Colorado jumped ahead early, taking a 2-0 lead before exploding for more in the fourth. With two on and one out, Orlando Arcia lined an 88 mph slider off Ohtani that landed in his thigh. Ohtani chased the ball down but had no chance to make a play, and another run scored. He walked off the mound with the Dodgers training staff nearby, though he remained in and completed the fourth inning.
Manager Dave Roberts opted to remove Ohtani in the fifth, citing concern that the thigh could stiffen after the comebacker. The move, however, did not dampen optimism about his ability to be in the lineup for the Dodgers’ next game in San Diego on Friday. “Right now it feels pretty good. I’m going to do everything in my ability to make sure that it doesn’t affect me moving forward,” Ohtani said, adding that he was glad the impact didn’t hit the knee and that they “avoided the worst-case scenario.”
With the loss, Los Angeles dropped two of three to Colorado and slipped to a one-game lead over the San Diego Padres in the NL West. The Rockies, on the other hand, have won seven of their last nine games and pulled within 35 games of the division-leading Dodgers.
The defeat comes amid a stretch where the Dodgers were fresh off a Padres series sweep at home, but Coors Field has continued to pose its own challenges for LA. Roberts and the Dodgers will regroup as they head into a big series in San Diego, where every win carries extra weight in the tight division race.
Key facts and takeaways:
– Ohtani’s five-run, nine-hit four-inning outing marked a setback in his fifth-start-attempts to settle in this season.
– A comebacker to the thigh caused immediate concern, though the plan remains for Ohtani to be ready for the next series.
– The Dodgers still hold a slim lead in the NL West, while Colorado has shown recent form to remain in the mix.
– Ohtani’s attitude postgame emphasized accountability and a focus on moving forward without letting this affect future appearances.
Possible additions for readers:
– What this means going forward: monitor Ohtani’s status ahead of the San Diego series and any lineup updates from LA.
– A quick reminder of the Dodgers’ schedule shifts and potential rotation adjustments in the short term.
– Fan questions to spark discussion: How will LA balance Ohtani’s workload if the thigh remains a factor? Which players could step up to help shoulder the workload in the next series?
Summary: Ohtani’s rough night at Coors Field is a setback, but his readiness for the next series remains a priority for the Dodgers. The team will lean on its depth and Ohtani’s resilience as they push toward a critical stretch in the NL West race. A positive note is his stated intention to do everything possible to avoid letting this affect future performances.