By MIKEY HIRANO CULROSS, Rafu Sports Editor
Shohei Ohtani was as effective as ever on the mound Wednesday, tossing seven scoreless innings in the Dodgers’ 4-0 victory over the visiting San Francisco Giants.
Concentrating on pitching, Ohtani (3-2) did not bat, but scattered four hits and struck out eight in the win that saw his MLB-leading ERA shrink to 0.82.
“I did what I had to do today,” said Ohtani, whose 105-pitch effort helped the Dodgers end a four-game losing streak.
Ohtani and manager Dave Roberts appear to be on the same page in terms of keeping him out of the batting lineup on his pitching days.
“I’ve felt pretty good on the mound so far. Overall, I’ve had good results this year, but the feeling can change from game to game,” Ohtani said, adding, “Just like hitting, it’s hard to stay consistent.
“First and foremost, I’m not injured, so I’m looking forward to contributing defensively.”
This is the first season since joining the Dodgers that Ohtani has not been working his way back to a regular schedule of pitching. After serving as a full-time designated hitter in 2024, Ohtani’s pitching appearances last year began in limited fashion after his second elbow surgery since making the move from Japan to join the Angels in 2018.
Ohtani did not play in Thursday’s matchup with the Giants, as Roberts feels a full day of rest after a pitching start – as was a common strategy in Anaheim – is a wise move.
“I feel clarity on the way we’re managing it,” Roberts said, acknowledging the lofty expectations of the game’s first true-two-way player since Babe Ruth. “It seems when he’s on the mound, you expect a no-hitter, and when he’s hitting, you expect two homers. It’s his lot in life, and he’s done [a lot] to deserve it.”
