Shohei Ohtani nearly helps Dodgers make history in sweep of Rockies

The Dodgers completed a three-game sweep of the Rockies with excellent pitching and timely hitting. The win gave Los Angeles a five-game winning streak and increased its National League West lead to 4.5 games. The Dodgers hit three home runs, including a solo shot by Andy Pages, who leads Major League Baseball with 50 RBI. Shohei Ohtani allowed one run while pitching six hitless innings, though he issued four walks. The lone run matched Ohtani’s leadoff homer in the first inning. Will Klein, Tanner Scott, and Kyle Hurt followed with scoreless innings, and Hurt earned his first career save. Tyler Freeman ended a combined no-hitter with a late single. Teoscar Hernández suffered an injury.

"Shohei Ohtani effectively wild Just like before Shohei Ohtani's pitching start last week at Petco Park, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts raised some caution over what to expect. Ohtani went on to produce an outing similar to his performance against the San Diego Padres. He allowed one run but otherwise pitched six hitless innings. Colorado was in position to score their lone run thanks in part to Ohtani's four walks. Those are the most Ohtani has issued in his nine starts this season."

"The run Ohtani allowed was matched by his leadoff homer in the bottom of the first inning. Prior to Ohtani, Don Drysdale was the last Dodgers pitcher with at least six no-hit innings and a home run in the same game, when he accomplished the feat on June 25, 1959. Wednesday was Ohtani's second consecutive pitching start in which he also was in the lineup as the Dodgers' designated hitter, and the two-way star homered in both instances. Overall, Ohtani has taken the mound and hit in the same game in only five of nine starts as a pitcher this season."

"Ohtani's effort was followed by Will Klein, Tanner Scott and Kyle Hurt each pitching one scoreless inning. The save was Hurt's first of his career. Tyler Freeman broke up the Dodgers' bid for a combined no-hitter on a two-strike, two-out single off Scott in the eighth. The Dodgers still have the most no-hitters in MLB history with 26."

"Included in the Dodgers hitting three home runs was a solo shot from Andy Pages, who leads the Majors with 50 RBI. Dodgers 4, Rockies 1: key takeaways Shohei Ohtani effectively wild Just like before Shohei Ohtani's pitching start last week at Petco Park, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts raised some caution over what to expect."

Read at Dodger Blue