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Dodgers Highlights: Landon Knack’s National Anthem Standoff, Shohei Ohtani Pursuing Triple Crown

Staff Writer
3 Min Read
Sep 27, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) gestures as he rounds the bases on a three run home run in the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Dodgers didn’t show any hangover effects from clinching the National League West as they started their final series of the regular season by cruising to an 11-4 win over the Colorado Rockies.

Before the Dodgers began slugging their way to a comfortable victory, Landon Knack and Kyle Freeland engaged in a standoff once the national anthem concluded. Neither pitcher budged for a few minutes, but home-plate umpire Chad Fairchild walked over to Knack and instructed him to walk into the dugout.

Knack appeared to playfully question why Fairchild wouldn’t deliver the same message to Freeland, but relented and the game began.

Teoscar Hernández opened the scoring with a two-run home run in the first inning that gave him a career-high-tying 32 on the season.

After the Rockies cut the Dodgers’ lead in half, they responded in the second inning with RBI singles from Chris Taylor and Shohei Ohtani. Taylor then scampered home on a double steal with Ohtani taking second base.

That gave Ohtani the MLB record for most stolen bases by a Japanese-born player, as he broke a tie with Ichiro Suzuki.

Andy Pages’ solo home run extended the Dodgers’ lead in the fourth inning and Ohtani punctuated his big night with a three-run blast in the sixth.

Friday was the 13th game this season Hernández and Ohtani have both hit a home run in. That’s second-most in Dodgers franchise history, behind the duo of Duke Snider and Gil Hodges combining for the feat 14 times in 1953.

Dodgers magic number

The Dodgers’ magic number for not only the top seed in the NL but best record in baseball is now down to one. Should they win on Saturday or Sunday, or if the Philadelphia Phillies lose either of their two remaining games, the Dodgers will secure home-field advantage through the World Series.

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