The Dodgers have developed a knack for losing games even when they have a solid lead and without permitting any hits in the latter parts of innings.
Shohei Ohtani watched as the first reliever squandered a four-run advantage, resulting in a 9-6 loss to the Phillies after he managed to hold them hitless for five innings on Tuesday night.
This challenging situation follows Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s impressive performance where he held the Orioles hitless for 8 2/3 innings, only to lose the game.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts discussed the team’s recovery from Tommy John surgery and how they are monitoring Ohtani’s progress.
“I would have liked to have pushed him a bit more, but the conversation is that we can consider six innings next time,” Roberts stated. “It’s just how it goes, five strong innings, and the rest of the staff must carry on from there.”
The organization is taking precautions to keep Ohtani healthy ahead of the playoffs against the Mets, likely to be a factor in the NL MVP race.
On Tuesday, Ohtani made his 13th start of the season, hitting five innings but it was just his second appearance where he went that length.
Despite not exceeding 87 pitches this season, Ohtani only threw 68 pitches on Tuesday while managing a 4-0 lead, walking one batter.
SportsNet LA reporter Kirsten Watson shared that at a crucial point in the game, Roberts consulted Ohtani to gauge his interest in continuing, after explaining the potential for a historic night.
“He said, ‘What do you think? Do you want to go back out?’ and Ohtani replied, ‘No, it’s up to you,’ so, you could sense the moment,” Watson noted. “Then he asked, ‘But are you feeling good?’ and Ohtani responded positively.
Freddie Freeman even joked with Roberts about the stressful decision to pull Ohtani, which was caught on camera as the manager laughed.
After Ohtani was pulled, the decision backfired when Justin Wobleski entered and immediately allowed a single to the second batter he faced, contributing to five runs in a six-run inning for the Phillies.
The Dodgers managed to tie the game in the eighth but ultimately lost to the NL West leaders, marking their second consecutive loss to the Phillies.
Roberts expressed no regrets about the handling of Ohtani. “He wasn’t going to go back out, and we were steadfast in our approach to his usage,” he commented. “I’m not looking to push him now.”
Despite lowering his ERA to 3.29 and hitting his 50th home run, Ohtani didn’t voice any frustration about being taken out. “As a player, I want to pitch as long as I can, but I also understand the decisions made by the front office and managers,” he said through a translator, adding that he felt good physically.
The Dodgers (84-67) are currently two games ahead of the Padres in the NL West, but with their chances for a first-round bye dwindling as they trail the Phillies by 6.5 games for the second seed.
Now, Los Angeles will be looking intently at both playoff races as they continue their series against the Giants, Diamondbacks, and Mariners.
