After avoiding a serious injury on Tuesday when he was hit by a pitch, Shohei Ohtani fulfilled two-way duties in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 4-1 win over the Colorado Rockies.
Ohtani turned in another effective start as he collected seven strikeouts over six no-hit innings. However, the 31-year-old was uncharacteristically wild and walked a season-high four batters, which contributed to the Rockies scoring their only run against him in the top of the fourth.
The right-hander lowered his ERA on the season to 0.82, which is the lowest in Dodgers franchise history through a pitcher’s first nine starts. The record previously belonged to Fernando Valenzuela, who carried a 0.91 ERA during the 1981 season.
Ohtani tied Zack Greinke (2009) for the third-best ERA through a pitcher’s first nine starts of an MLB season since the Live Ball Era began in 1920. Only Jacob deGrom (0.62 in 2021) and Juan Marichal (0.69 in 1966) are better.
Additionally, Ohtani’s 0.82 ERA is the ninth-lowest in MLB history entering June since earned runs became official in both leagues in 1913 (minimum 50 innings pitched).
Shohei Ohtani helps own cause with leadoff home run
Ohtani also hit a leadoff home run to give the Dodgers an early 1-0 lead. It was the fourth time he led off a game with a home run this season and the 28th such instance in his career.
Ohtani’s round-tripper broke a tie with Joc Pederson for the third-most leadoff home runs in Dodgers franchise history (22), which trails only Mookie Betts (32) and Davey Lopes (28).
“I like where he’s at,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Ohtani’s hitting. “I think tonight, after the homer, he’s pitching, still kind of grinding through the outing, I don’t think he put forth his best effort as far as discipline.
“I think there was a 3-2 ball down in the zone, he could’ve taken a walk. Another time, I think he had count leverage and grounded out. But I think in general, in the last few weeks, he’s in a good spot.”
Ohtani became the only starting pitcher in MLB history with a leadoff homer in consecutive starts. He previously accomplished the feat in his outing against the San Diego Padres on May 20.
Prior to Ohtani, Don Drysdale was the last Dodgers pitcher to record at least six no-hit innings and hit a home run in the same game. He did so against the Philadelphia Phillies on June 25, 1959.
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