The Los Angeles Dodgers started their final homestand of the regular season by coming from behind for a 6-4 win against the Colorado Rockies that lowered their magic number to five.
Well before Andy Pages, Shohei Ohtani and Teoscar Hernández combined for a power display, Mookie Betts provided a highlight in right field by robbing Charlie Blackmon of a potential leadoff home run.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts credited Betts for his leaping catch and believed it carried added significance because of the team looking to navigate a bullpen game that ultimately saw them use eight total pitchers.
Shohei Ohtani introduced in the #Dodgers lineup for the first time since establishing the 50/50 club. pic.twitter.com/CE9eArXDE6
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) September 21, 2024
Shohei Ohtani received a standing ovation as he stepped into the on-deck circle. pic.twitter.com/CKIThbk6YQ
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) September 21, 2024
The Dodgers did fall into a deficit that grew to 2-0 before Pages sparked a three-run fifth inning with a leadoff homer. Up to that point Pages had two of the Dodgers’ three hits off Freeland and improved his batting average against left-handers to .361.
The mark is fifth-best among players with a minimum of 100 plate appearances against lefties.
More applause and recognition for baseball’s first 50-50 man. pic.twitter.com/DgQcSUmulq
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) September 21, 2024
Charlie Blackmon thought he had a home run.
Instead, Mookie Betts is going to end up on #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/D3rNTLsEIp
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) September 21, 2024
Also in the fifth inning, Ohtani connected on his 52nd home run of the season. Ohtani received a standing ovation prior to his first at-bat of the game and “MVP” chants throughout the night.
Andy Pages making a case for the postseason roster 👀
(🎥: @Dodgers) pic.twitter.com/JJmWLHBLEI— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) September 21, 2024
Shohei Ohtani 55-55 tracker:
52 home runs
51 stolen bases pic.twitter.com/RFrge1CJ4s— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) September 21, 2024
Pitch was 92.1 mph coming in, out of the strike zone.
Shohei Ohtani sent it 423 feet to center field with a 110.1 mph exit velocity. Unreal.
(🎥: @MLB) pic.twitter.com/5lnZLLdnR1
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) September 21, 2024
The Rockies pulled even in the top of the sixth but the Dodgers reclaimed the lead in the bottom half of the inning behind Hernández’s 30th home run of the season. Hernández is now two homers away from tying a career high of 32 that was set with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2021.
Teoscar Hernández is up to 30 homers, two away from tying a career high set in 2021.
(🎥: @Dodgers) pic.twitter.com/GOEFlL2f6L
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) September 21, 2024
Shohei Ohtani keeps on doing the thing 🏃♂️
(🎥: @Dodgers) pic.twitter.com/SEuOhPr9FO— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) September 21, 2024
The Dodgers pushed across insurance runs in the seventh inning thanks in part to Ohtani legging out an infield single. That also led to Ohtani stealing his 52nd base of the year.
Will Shohei Ohtani get 55-55 or 60-60?
With eight games remaining on the Dodgers’ schedule, Ohtani figures to be in strong position to expand on becoming the first player in MLB history with 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases to have a 55-55 season.
Roberts even surmised his star could reach 60-60, despite that achievement not appearing to be very probable given the limited amount of time remaining.
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