Dodgers Pull Off Stunning Comeback Against Marlins
Monday night at Dodger Stadium seemed poised to be a memorable occasion.
That is, until an unforgettable moment unfolded in the bottom of the 9th inning.
Trailing by two runs against the Marlins, the Dodgers found new life. A high-quality at-bat followed by an impressive swing from Shohei Ohtani, and then a walk-off hit from Kyle Tucker—a two-run homer to center—sealed a dramatic 5-4 victory.
Honestly, heading into that final inning, the Dodgers appeared a bit lifeless.
They hadn’t scored since Teoscar Hernandez’s two-run hit early in the game. Things took a turn in the fifth inning when Liam Hicks hit a three-run homer against Yoshinobu Yamamoto, erasing the Dodgers’ lead. In the seventh, they had a chance to load the bases but ended up going just 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position, sliding back into a slump that had plagued them for much of the prior week.
But then, a spark ignited with Andy Pages drawing a leadoff walk against Marlins closer Pete Fairbanks. Dalton Rushing, stepping in as a pinch hitter, followed suit with another walk.
While Miguel Rojas popped up what should have been a sacrifice bunt for the first out, Ohtani kept the momentum going, hitting a double to right that scored a run.
Just a few batters later, after the Marlins intentionally walked Freddie Freeman, Fairbanks had to exit due to injury. The situation became tense when Will Smith struck out against right-hander Tyler Phillips, leaving Tucker to step up with the bases full.
Phillips started Tucker off with a first-pitch strike, hitting a splitter low. But when he pitched to Tucker again, the Dodgers’ big offseason signing made his mark, nailing a line drive to center—certainly a bright spot amidst a sluggish start to the season.
What This Win Means
For the Dodgers, who now stand at 20-9, this was just another reminder that they haven’t lost their edge. Throughout the second to sixth innings, they managed only a single hit, while Yamamoto struggled, giving up four runs, three of which were earned, in five innings without his usual command.
Despite this, the depth of their lineup means an upset is always possible as long as they hang around. As we saw, a crucial walk and a powerful swing provided the Dodgers with their second walk-off win this season.
Who’s Excelling Lately
Hernandez has been on a roll lately, surprising many with his increased plate discipline. He opened the game with a critical hit, setting the stage for the first two runs. In addition to that, he picked up two walks, showcasing an ability to get on base that wasn’t there before.
After struggling significantly with a .154 average in 14 games from April 7-24, he turned it around with a solid 3-for-8 performance over the last three days, bringing his season average up to .245.
Who’s Struggling
On the flip side, Smith returned from a back strain but had a tough outing. He went hitless in five at-bats and failed to capitalize on two opportunities to load the bases, continuing a troubling slump that has seen him go just 1-for-18 in his last five games. With his most recent home run being a bright moment, his batting average now sits at .231, and his OPS has dropped to .696, which isn’t great compared to his teammates.
Looking forward, Ohtani (2-0, 0.38 ERA) is scheduled to take the mound against Marlins right-hander Janson Junk (1-2, 3.67 ERA) on Tuesday. Manager Dave Roberts mentioned that Ohtani is likely to pitch only, skipping designated hitting duties this time around. This decision might stem from him pitching on just five days of rest, along with the series’ afternoon finale on Wednesday.
