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Shohei Ohtani’s career-best 53-game scoring streak ended on a night when he pitched six scoreless innings.
That’s something only Ohtani can pull off, but the two-way superstar could have plays like that a little less often.
“I’m focused, as a leadoff hitter, on getting on base. As long as I feel good overall, the result will follow,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton. “That wasn’t the case. [lately]”.
Before Wednesday’s loss to San Francisco, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts made it clear that he was committed to protecting Ohtani’s health and keeping him fresh so he can perform both on the mound and at the plate in the long run.
And it might look different a day or a week, depending on how Ohtani feels.
“I will always let the manager make the final decision, and I will always be ready when I start hitting,” Ohtani said. “But if it makes sense as a team to occasionally put a guy on DH or hit later, that’s fine too. I wouldn’t want to do the same thing again other than that.”
For some games, that could mean Ohtani pitches but doesn’t hit as the designated hitter — and Roberts plans to keep his options open.
Ohtani was solid on the mound again for the Dodgers in a 3-0 loss to the San Francisco Giants, allowing no earned runs for the third time in four starts this season. A week earlier, Ohtani was left out of the lineup while pitching for the first time since 2021 because he was still sore after being hit by a pitch.
Ohtani batted in his usual leadoff spot and went 0 for 4 with a strikeout, hitting a fly ball to left in his final at-bat. That ended an on-base streak that tied Shawn Green for the second-longest streak in Dodgers history. Duke Snider holds the team record with 58 games from May 13 to July 11, 1954. Ohtani’s streak was the longest in the majors since Orlando Cabrera reached base in 63 consecutive games from April 25 to July 6, 2006.
“The season is not over and I could start another streak and it would be great,” Ohtani said. “We’ll see how it goes.”
Ohtani, 31, saw his batting average drop from .271 to .258. He allowed one earned run in 24 innings for a 0.38 ERA and a 2-0 record, allowing 15 hits with 25 strikeouts and six walks.
“I think if you look at the overall numbers, it’s definitely something. I still feel really good about getting his name in the lineup,” Roberts said. “I know the last start I chose to not have him hit and just throw. I’m open to that. We’ll see. That’s something we’ve definitely pointed out, and also looking at what the option is. In years past or last year, you kind of have to weigh, who’s a different option?”
Receiver Dalton Rushing has emerged as a capable replacement at DH. He hit .414 with seven home runs and 13 RBIs.
The Dodgers, two-time defending World Series champions, have lost four of five. They lost 3-1 in the series opener Tuesday night against rival San Francisco.
Roberts had not yet decided whether Ohtani would play in the series finale on Thursday. He said beforehand that he had no qualms about giving Ohtani five at-bats on a day he’s pitching, but that he would consider moving him down in the batting order if that makes sense.
“I think everything should be on the table,” Roberts said.
Associated Press reporting.
