Shohei Ohtani’s 3-run homer on Sept. 19 helped the Dodgers clinch a playoff berth.
The Dodgers bullpen blew yet another stellar start by Shohei Ohtani on Tuesday, leading to more frustra-tion for the team’s manager as well as the team.
“You’re not having the conviction and executing pitches, for fear of failure and getting hit.” skipper Dave Roberts said after L.A.’s relief corps collapsed after six shutout innings by Ohtani, eventually taking a 5-4 walkoff loss to the Diamondbacks in Arizona. “At this time of season, you’ve got to put everything out there and trust that it’s going to be good.
“When you pitch behind, and afraid to make a mistake, and hang a breaking ball, that’s when bad things happen. As a whole, that’s what I’m seeing. And hitters can smell that,” he said.
Ohtani has reportedly said he would be willing to take a role in the bullpen for the playoffs, begin-ning next week. As The Rafu went to press on Wednesday, the Dodgers held a one and a half-game lead over the San Diego Padres in the National League West, with five games to play.
Ohtani scattered five hits, all singles, in his longest start since his June return from the September 2023 elbow surgery. He came off the mound with no runs allowed for the third straight start.
“(My longest start) was up to five innings until my last outing, and I’m glad to have taken another step,” Ohtani said. “I’ve come through the final phase ahead of the postseason, so I’m satisfied.”
–Rafu Staff and wire service reports