The Los Angeles Dodgers were unable to complete the sweep of the Cincinnati Reds in the series finale, dropping the game 5-2 while also getting an injury scare on Shohei Ohtani.
With Ohtani on the mound, Gavin Lux greeted him with a double to leadoff the Reds’ half of the first inning. He came around to score on a single from Elly De La Cruz that put the Reds up to begin the game.
The Dodgers answered back in the fourth inning to take the lead, starting with a one-out walk from Will Smith. Freddie Freeman then followed with a two-run homer that gave the Dodgers the lead.
It was Freeman’s first home run since June 28 and his 11th of the season.
Ohtani reached the fourth inning for the first time this season, but lost his command at the end of the outing by throwing six straight balls. He was checked on by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and head trainer Thomas Albert before exiting the game as the pitcher and being replaced by Anthony Banda.
Ohtani allowed a single and two walks in the inning, and Banda allowed a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded to tie the game up. Banda struck out the next two hitters to end the threat and keep the Dodgers in the game.
Emmet Sheehan took over in the fifth inning and provided the Dodgers with three shutout innings before running into trouble in the eighth. The right-hander allowed two walks, which set the stage for the Reds to take the lead, and with two outs in the inning, Spencer Steer tripled home both runs to put the Reds up 4-2.
The Dodgers had a chance to get out of the inning unscathed, but Andy Pages had a fly ball pop out of his glove down the left field line. James Outman was also unable to make the catch on Steer’s fly ball, but he did prevent a homer.
Blake Treinen took over with Steer on third, and he immediately allowed a single that extended the Reds’ lead.
The Dodgers had a few chances to take the lead while the game was tied, but failed in all their opportunities. They loaded the bases with one out in the eighth inning, but could not capitalize and finished the game with eight runners left on base.
Alex Freeland made his MLB debut in the game and earned his first career hit. He also drew a walk and was hit by a pitch.
Shohei Ohtani exits as Dodgers pitcher with cramps
After Ohtani came out of the game in the fourth inning, the Dodgers announced he left the game due to cramps. However, he did stay in the game as the designated hitter.
Kirsten Watson said on the SportsNet LA broadcast that Ohtani was dealing with some potential issue in the lower half of his body and was seen stretching in the dugout.
The expectation was Ohtani would pitch four innings in the game, but he finished with 3+.
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