Shohei Ohtani homers twice as Dodgers defeat Orioles to end five-game losing streak

"That game was the kind of loss that threatened to throw the Dodgers into an all-out nose-dive; an unthinkable defeat that, on top of their previously mounting frustrations, turned Sunday into yet another gut check for the long-slumping club (which entered Sunday 10 games under .500 since July 4). "We've got to keep going," manager Dave Roberts said pregame. "It's hard. It's not fun going through it. These guys feel it. But I just refuse to relent and not be optimistic and positive. Just keep going. That's all we can do.""

"Ohtani helped the Dodgers (79-64) turn the page quickly Sunday. Facing a fellow Japanese native in Tomoyuki Sugano, Ohtani launched the second pitch he saw to center for a leadoff home run. It was his 12th leadoff blast of the year, tying Mookie Betts' franchise record for a single season. On Ohtani's next trip to the plate, the two-way star went deep again, blasting his 48th home run of the year on a 2-and-0 fastball. And in the next at-bat, Mookie Betts made it back-to-back deep flies with a drive to left."

"The day started with a couple of Shohei Ohtani home runs. It continued with a strong 5 ⅔ inning start from Clayton Kershaw. And it ended with the Dodgers in a celebratory postgame line, trading victorious high-fives near the mound. After five straight losses, several weeks of mounting frustration, and the most painful collapse imaginable the night before, the Dodgers took a crucial first step toward righting their sinking ship on Sunday. They beat the Baltimore Orioles 5-2, finally finding a way to hold a late-game lead. They ended an otherwise disastrous road trip on a sorely needed high note."

The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Baltimore Orioles 5-2, ending a five-game losing streak and finishing a difficult road trip on a positive note. Shohei Ohtani hit a leadoff home run and followed with his 48th homer of the year, recording his 12th leadoff blast and tying the franchise leadoff record. Mookie Betts homered immediately after Ohtani for back-to-back long balls. Clayton Kershaw delivered 5 2/3 effective innings. The victory allowed the team to hold a late-game lead after a prior no-hitter walk-off loss reduced the division lead to one game and extended recent frustration.

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