Dodgers manager Dave Roberts made the decision to use Shohei Ohtani during the sixth inning on Wednesday, even after having prepared relief pitchers.
It was an unusual outing for Ohtani, who didn’t bat that night, but he made it count with a stunning pitching performance.
In the Dodgers’ 8-2 win against the New York Mets, Ohtani threw six solid innings, contributing to their third straight shutout.
He allowed just one run and two hits, while striking out ten. He really brought the heat in the sixth inning, striking out the side with a fastball, curveball, and splitter.
Good morning, hello, and good night—what a night for the Dodgers (14-4) as they continue their fiery start to the season, even without Ohtani hitting.
While he recovers from a shoulder contusion from a hit by pitch earlier in the week, the Dodgers decided to streamline his responsibilities, taking him out of the batting lineup so he could focus solely on pitching.
This strategy paid off handsomely, as Ohtani delivered one of his strongest performances of the season, despite allowing his first earned run. His replacement as DH, Dalton Rushing, stepped up with a double and a grand slam.
“It was great to see him concentrate on just one role,” Roberts commented. “I thought he could put all his energy into pitching.”
With 95 pitches, Ohtani showed off his full arsenal.
His fastball was consistently in the high 90s, complemented by sweeping curveballs and deceptive splitters.
Even under pressure, he responded admirably, throwing four consecutive fastballs that hit 100 mph following his only run in the fifth inning, which had runners in scoring position.
“It was a critical moment, and we had to keep them at bay,” Ohtani said.
At one point, Roberts contemplated pulling Ohtani after a taxing fifth inning, where he threw 22 pitches and prepared Blake Treinen to take over in the sixth. But after the fifth, Roberts decided to let him go out for the sixth.
Ohtani returned to strike out the side, ending the game to loud cheers.
“It’s just Shohei,” Rushing joked afterward. “Not much more needs to be said.” He continued, “He’s definitely one of the best players out there, especially when he just focuses on pitching.”
Meanwhile, Rushing ignited the Dodgers’ offense in Ohtani’s absence, propelling them to an early lead and helping them extend it.
In the second inning, he hit a double followed by a two-run homer from Kim Hye-sung. He later added to the lead in the sixth with a homer and then delivered a knockout punch with a grand slam in the eighth off Mets closer Devin Williams.
“I’m not used to this, let me tell you,” Rushing quipped about filling in for Ohtani. “But he asked me to hit a homer, so I guess it worked out.”
The Dodgers achieved their second series sweep of the season, finishing this homestand with a 5-1 record, winning 10 out of their last 12 games.
They remain undefeated against National League foes, easily taking down a Mets team that was expected to contend but is now struggling at 7-12.
During this series, the Dodgers’ starters pitched a combined 21 2/3 innings, striking out 19 batters and allowing only two runs. Their defense also held strong, with standout plays by Max Muncy and Kim.
Moreover, Rushing’s 2-for-4 outing showed how effective the lower end of the batting order can be.
If Ohtani’s pitching stats weren’t enough, his performance on Wednesday only added to the narrative.
He seemed to toy with the Mets lineup, striking out Francisco Lindor after an arduous 11-pitch at-bat. Recovering well from his second Tommy John surgery, Ohtani is finding his footing as a full-time pitcher, currently boasting a 0.50 ERA this season.
“He sees pitching as an art form,” Roberts remarked. “It’s not just about overpowering hitters with fastballs; it’s a strategic mix.”
The Dodgers will take a day off before heading on a week-long road trip, starting with a four-game series against the Colorado Rockies.
As for Kyle Tucker, he struggled at the plate, going 0-for-4 right up until the eighth inning when he managed to hit a scoring homer after Rushing’s grand slam.
Despite a hefty contract, the Dodgers are still awaiting Tucker’s breakout performance. He also had a notable defensive mishap, unable to track a key ball in right field, leading to the Mets’ only RBI double.
Looking forward, the Dodgers are set to face the Rockies in Denver before a three-game series against the Giants in San Francisco.
