Shohei Ohtani completed 4.1 innings in his longest start as a Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher, achieving the feat against some of his former Los Angeles Angels teammates.
Ohtani’s start in the finale of the Freeway Series marked his first time pitching against the Angels since signing a record-setting contract with the Dodgers before the 2024 season. He entered 21-8 with a 2.22 ERA in 47 career starts at Angel Stadium.
The initial belief was the Dodgers planned on Ohtani repeating another start of four innings, but manager Dave Roberts said before the game the goal was to add on from his last outing.
“I think this is more of how he’s feeling,” Roberts explained.
Prior to throwing a pitch, Ohtani hit a leadoff double in the first inning and immediately scored on Mookie Betts’ single. Will Smith added a two-run homer to provide Ohtani with an early cushion.
He began the bottom of the first inning with a strikeout and retired Nolan Schanuel before facing fellow American League MVP winner Mike Trout. The matchup was the first between Ohtani and Trout in an MLB game, and only the second when taking into account the World Baseball Classic championship game in 2023.
Like in that at-bat, Ohtani relied on a sweeper with the count full to get Trout swinging.
The second inning was rockier for Ohtani as Taylor Ward hit a solo home run. The homer was the second Ohtani has allowed all season.
Yoan Moncada’s double later was cashed in on a sacrifice fly that cut the Dodgers’ lead to 3-2.
Ohtani settled back in to retire the side in the third inning, which he bookended with strikeouts. Ohtani ended the top of the fourth inning on the bases but didn’t show any ill effects of that in the bottom half.
Trout struck out for the second time on the night, as he was caught looking at a 100.7 mph four-seam fastball. The pitch was Ohtani’s fastest of the night.
Moncada reached on a dropped strike three to extend the inning and prevent Ohtani from retiring the side in order, but nothing came of it.
Ohtani seemingly became fatigued in the fifth inning as he allowed three hits in a row. The last of which was a two-run double by Zach Neto that cut the Dodgers’ lead to 5-4 and chased Ohtani from the game.
Although he fell short of five full innings, Ohtani threw a season-high 80 pitches. It previously was his 54 pitches thrown last week over four innings against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Ohtani allowed four runs, the most he’s given up in a single start this season, and finished with seven strikeouts, one shy of matching his season high that was also set against the Cardinals.
Shohei Ohtani’s innings limit
Roberts reiterated the Dodgers aren’t likely to push Ohtani beyond five innings during any of his starts during the regular season.
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