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Dodgers Highlights: Decoy’s First Pitch, Shohei Ohtani & Teoscar Hernández Home Runs

Matthew Moreno
3 Min Read
Aug 28, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Teoscar Hernandez (37) flips his bat after hitting a three-run home run in the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Dodgers received home runs from Shohei Ohtani and Teoscar Hernández in a 6-4 bounce-back win against the Baltimore Orioles that set the stage for a rubber match on Thursday.

Prior to providing fireworks at the plate, Ohtani paired with his dog, Decoy (Dekopin in Japanese), for a first pitch on their bobblehead night. Fan interest in the Shohei Ohtani and Decoy bobblehead amounted to hundreds lining up outside Dodger Stadium by 10 a.m. and led to gates being opened earlier than normal.

Decoy became the first dog to ever throw out a ceremonial first pitch at Dodger Stadium.

Ohtani’s leadoff home run in the bottom of the first inning gave him 42 on the season. Ohtani later stole his 41st and 42nd bases of the year as well. He’s on the verge of becoming the first player in MLB history with 43 home runs and 43 stolen bases in the same season.

An error by Max Muncy and mishap from Will Smith were keys in the Orioles scoring three runs in the second inning to take a lead.

The Dodgers responded in the third behind Mookie Betts’ RBI single and a three-run homer by Hernández.

Walker Buehler protected the lead but not before giving up a two-out RBI double in the fifth inning. Even with the four runs allowed, the outing was Buehler’s best since coming off the injured list.

Dodgers standings update

The Dodgers have the best record in baseball at 79-54, one game ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Their lead in the National League West is 3.5 games over the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the San Diego Padres are four back.

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Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com