Shohei Ohtani adjusted his pitch mix and found a groove, leading the Dodgers to a 5-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds. After back-to-back rough outings where the fastball-heavy approach caught up with him, the two-way superstar leaned on off-speed stuff and secondary pitches to keep Cincinnati off balance in five innings.
Ohtani, making his 11th start since returning from elbow surgery, struck out a season-high nine and allowed only one run on two hits while walking two. He threw 87 pitches, 53 for strikes, in his first win on the mound for Los Angeles. The plan entering the game was clear: mix in more curveballs and splitters, regardless of the opponent.
“Everything was working. He got in a groove,” rookie catcher Dalton Rushing said. “He figured out the curveball in the first inning and it was working really well for him. It was a big pitch.” The duo’s on-field chemistry was evident as they walked off after the third inning with Ohtani’s arm around Rushing, signaling a growing trust between pitcher and catcher.
In a change from earlier this season, Ohtani moved away from relying primarily on fastballs and sweepers. He finished strong, retiring 10 of his final 11 batters, including the last eight. He allowed one run and two hits through five innings, issuing a season-best 87 pitches (53 strikes). Offensively, he went 1-for-5 with a run.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised the enhanced command and versatility. “The No. 1 goal was to make sure my fastball and my velocity was where I want it to be,” Ohtani said. “As we’re progressing through this rehab, aside from the innings, I just really wanted to be able to incorporate other pitches.” This outing was also notable as Ohtani’s first win since Aug. 9, 2023, when he earned a victory with the Angels over San Francisco, highlighting his return from elbow surgery two years ago.
The win also came after a stretch in which Ohtani had allowed nine runs on 14 hits across two previous starts against the Dodgers’ cross-town rivals, the Angels, and the Colorado Rockies. Now, with a more varied arsenal, he’s targeting five innings in his next start, planned for next Wednesday at Pittsburgh.
Reds manager Terry Francona called Ohtani “really tough on lefties” and acknowledged his broad skill set, which includes the ability to command four or five pitches when right.
What this means moving forward: Ohtani’s willingness to adjust his approach and lean on a broader repertoire could help his endurance while keeping opponents off balance. For the Dodgers, the development bodes well for a rotation that’s balancing workload as the season progresses, offering a blueprint for continued productivity from their star two-way player.
Summary: Ohtani’s five-inning, nine-strikeout performance marked a turning point in his approach this season, with a deliberate shift toward curveballs and splitters and the continued collaboration with Rushing behind the plate. The result was a controlled, efficient outing that yielded a win and reinforced Ohtani’s capacity to adapt his pitching to sustain effectiveness after elbow rehab.
Key numbers:
– Dodgers 5, Reds 1
– Ohtani: 5 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 9 K, 87 pitches (53 strikes)
– First Dodgers win on the mound for Ohtani; previously last win was Aug. 9, 2023 with the Angels
– Offensive line: 1-for-5, run
– Next start planned: five innings at Pittsburgh, next Wednesday
Additional comments:
– The evolving pitch mix could extend Ohtani’s effectiveness and help manage workload as he continues to return from elbow surgery.
– The catcher-pitcher dynamic, with Rushing signaling early and Ohtani taking over later in the game, showcases a collaborative approach that could become a model for future outings.
– Positive outlook: a successful adjustment period that could lift Dodgers’ rotation flexibility and keep Ohtani as a dynamic threat in both pitching and hitting.