Dodgers relief pitcher Michael Kopech celebrates after striking out the San Diego Padres’ Donovan Solano for the final out in their 4-3 victory on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers second baseman Gavin Lux backhands the ball to shortstop Miguel Rojas, not pictured, for a double play during the first inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas throws to first base to complete a double play after forcing out the San Diego Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr. at second during the first inning on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas throws to first base to complete a double play after forcing out the San Diego Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr., left, at second during the first inning on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Dylan Cease throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani steps into the batter’s box during the first inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani returns to the dugout after scoring on a single by Teoscar Hernández during the first inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani celebrates in the dugout after scoring on a single by Teoscar Hernandez during the first inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Dylan Cease adjusts his cap during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The San Diego Padres’ Manny Machado, right, returns to the dugout after scoring on a single by Xander Bogaerts during the second inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The San Diego Padres’ Jackson Merrill celebrates in the dugout after scoring on a Jake Cronenworth ground out during the second inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The San Diego Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr. hits a ground rule double during the third inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty tosses the baseball after getting out of a jam during the third inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
San Diego Padres star Manny Machado swings for a strike during the fourth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Tommy Edman slides into second base with a double as San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts, left, takes a late throw from the outfield during the fourth inning on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Tommy Edman gestures at second base after hitting a double during the fourth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Dylan Cease throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
See AlsoTony Gonsolin is the star as Dodgers defeat the Braves, 5-1Los Angeles Dodgers vs. New York Yankees Box Score, Summary, and Team Stats - June 7, 2024 GametrackerLos Angeles Dodgers News, Scores, Status, Schedule - MLBDodgers vs. Braves score: Live NLCS updates, highlights as Chris Taylor and AJ Pollock power Los Angeles to a Game 5 winThe Dodgers’ Gavin Lux hits an RBI single to score Tommy Edman during the fourth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Tommy Edman scores on a single hit by Gavin Lux during the fourth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Dodgers’ Tommy Edman is greeted by teammate Teoscar Hernández, right, as he returns to the dugout after scoring on a single hit by Gavin Lux during the fourth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Dodgers’ Tommy Edman celebrates in the dugout after scoring a run during the fourth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Dylan Cease throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits an RBI double during the fourth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits an RBI double during the fourth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani celebrates after hitting an RBI double during the fourth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani gestures at second base after hitting an RBI double during the fourth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The San Diego Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr. celebrates after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The San Diego Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr. runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The San Diego Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr., left, celebrates with teammate Jurickson Profar after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The San Diego Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr., left, celebrates with teammate Manny Machado after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The San Diego Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr. celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers relief pitcher Alex Vesia throws to the plate during the sixth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The San Diego Padres’ Xander Bogaerts, right, is caught trying to steal second base by Dodgers shortstop Tommy Edman during the sixth inning on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
San Diego Padres relief pitcher Jeremiah Estrada throws to the plate during the sixth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani drives in the go-ahead run with a single during the sixth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani tosses his bat as drives in the go-ahead run with a single during the sixth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani reacts as drives in the go-ahead run with a single during the sixth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani reacts as drives in the go-ahead run with a single during the sixth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Dodgers’ Will Smith celebrates after scoring the go-ahead run during the sixth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Will Smith is greeted by Manager Dave Roberts as he returns to the dugout after scoring on a single hit by designated hitter Shohei Ohtani during the sixth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani celebrates after driving in the go-ahead run with a single during the sixth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman dances on second base after hitting a double during the seventh inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Gavin Lux hits a single during the eighth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers relief pitcher Michael Kopech throws to the plate during the ninth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers relief pitcher Michael Kopech, left, beats the San Diego Padres’ Jackson Merrill, right, to first base for an out during the ninth inning on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers relief pitcher Michael Kopech throws to the plate during the ninth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers relief pitcher Michael Kopech throws to the plate during the ninth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The San Diego Padres’ Brandon Lockridge slides into second base safely as Dodgers second baseman Gavin Lux, right, loses the ball during the ninth inning on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers relief pitcher Michael Kopech throws to the plate during the ninth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers relief pitcher Michael Kopech celebrates after the final out of their 4-3 victory over the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers catcher Will Smith, left, and relief pitcher Michael Kopech celebrate after their 4-3 victory over the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers outfielders Chris Taylor, left, Kike Hernandez, center, and Mookie Betts celebrate after their 4-3 victory over the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers catcher Will Smith, right, and designated hitter Shohei Ohtani celebrate after their 4-3 victory over the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, center, celebrates with teammates after their 4-3 victory over the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers stars Shohei Ohtani, left, and Mookie Betts (50) celebrate after their 4-3 victory over the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, center, shares his game face with teammate Teoscar Hernandez, left, before their game against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Injured Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws in the outfield before the start of their game against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani warms up in the outfield before the start of their game against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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Dodgers relief pitcher Michael Kopech celebrates after striking out the San Diego Padres’ Donovan Solano for the final out in their 4-3 victory on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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LOS ANGELES — If this is Shohei Ohtani in playoff mode, October could be very entertaining.
Ohtani watched Tuesday night’s shocking game-ending triple play from the on-deck circle, robbed of a chance to bat with the game on the line. He got back at the San Diego Padres a day later, going 2 for 3 and twice driving in a go-ahead run for the Dodgers as they rebounded to beat the Padres, 4-3, on Wednesday night.
The win rebuilt the Dodgers’ National League West lead to three games with four games left and cut their magic number to clinch the division to two. A win over the Padres on Thursday night would clinch the Dodgers’ 11th division title in 12 years.
“You want to think about it,” Roberts said. “There’s a lot at stake. Our guys have been going hard since the first of April – shoot, since Korea (in March) – so we have a chance to check a box off and win the division and it’s right in front of us tomorrow. We’ll be ready.”
Ohtani wasn’t part of those other division title teams, but he is doing his best to single-handedly carry the Dodgers over the finish line of this division race. In his past six games, Ohtani is a walking video game – 17 for 24 (.708) with four doubles, five home runs, 15 RBIs, 11 runs scored and seven stolen bases (he pushed his season total to 56).
“He’s the best player in baseball. You never think he’s gonna get out,” Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy said. “Every time he gets in the box, you’re just waiting for something incredible to happen, and he really doesn’t disappoint too often.”
Remember when Ohtani started the season 1 for 19 with runners in scoring position, pressing to make a good first impression with his new team? He has batted .303 (37 for 122) in those situations since that start, including 2 for 2 on Wednesday.
“Special. Unbelievable,” Dodgers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty said. “You just want to get him up there with some guys on base, and you feel like you’re in a good spot.”
Ohtani acknowledged he has been energized by playing meaningful games in September for the first time in his career with his first postseason experience on the horizon.
“I do agree,” he said through his interpreter. “The fans and even within the team I do feel like there is some sense of elevation when it comes to playing these meaningful games.
“I’m really focused on quality at-bats and being able to do that every single at-bat.”
He led off the bottom of the first inning with a walk, moved up on a wild pitch and scored on Teoscar Hernandez’s two-out RBI single. A walk extended the inning and the Dodgers forced Padres starter Dylan Cease to throw 28 pitches in a first inning that ended with Fernando Tatis Jr.’s back to the right field wall as he hauled in Will Smith’s long fly ball.
Flaherty gave the lead right back in the top of the second by walking Manny Machado, giving up a double to Jackson Merrill and an RBI single to Xander Bogaerts. A ground out brought in a second run before Flaherty struck out Donovan Solano and Elias Diaz.
It was the Dodgers’ turn in the fourth inning. With two outs, Tommy Edman doubled to right-center field and scored on Gavin Lux’s RBI single.
Miguel Rojas drew a walk, extending the inning for Ohtani, who ripped a line drive off the bullpen gate in right field – the 116.8 mph missile surprisingly didn’t burn a hole through it. The double scored Lux with the go-ahead run, but Rojas rounded third and held up, feinting toward home when the ball got away from the cutoff man then scrambling back to third base.
The effort left Rojas in pain from a left adductor muscle injury he has been nursing for “three weeks,” he said after leaving the game. Rojas said he expects to get an injection to treat the issue in the hopes that it will allow him to play at closer to full strength in the postseason.
“It’s that point of the year that you push through things,” Rojas said. “But hopefully with the opportunity to secure the division, I think it’s time for me to do something, and probably gonna have to take a couple days, probably getting an injection to try to calm it down and be ready for what is really important, which is playing in the playoffs.”
The Dodgers’ lead disappeared in the fifth inning when Tatis got a high fastball from Flaherty and drove it deep into the left field pavilion for a solo home run.
Flaherty struggled with his command and was done after throwing 100 pitches (only 59 strikes) to get through five innings.
“I feel like I had to maybe stop trying so hard in the middle innings there,” Flaherty said. “I wasn’t trying to be perfect early on, but the first inning went well. And then the second inning, just kind of lost a little bit of command.
“The frustrating part is us getting the lead and not going out and putting up a shutdown inning.”
The game was still tied when Padres reliever Jeremiah Estrada walked Smith and Edman to start the sixth. Lux took a called third strike and Jackson Merrill made a diving catch in right-center to rob Andy Pages of an extra-base hit.
That brought up Ohtani, who fell behind lefty reliever Adrian Morejon 0-and-2 before taking two balls and then lashing a 108.6 mph single through the middle of the infield to drive in Smith with the go-ahead run.
“He has raised his level of play,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Ohtani. “The epitome of it is that Morejon at-bat. He gets behind 0-2, takes a couple breaking balls and hits the ball hard up the middle to drive in a run. You see the emotion that you never see and you’ve seen that over the last week. He’s sniffing the postseason and understanding how important these games are.”
Just as he did following his game-tying home run in the ninth inning on Sunday, Ohtani erupted as he ran to first base, gesturing toward the Dodgers’ dugout.
“He’s handling it exactly the way I would’ve hoped,” Roberts said. “This is a playoff environment. You can see they’re trying to crowd him and then spin him away and he’s just being patient waiting for his pitch and he’s doing something when he gets his chance.
“As far as emotions, he’s really channeling them and the energy is the right energy. He’s not pressing. It’s urgency. It’s everything you want in a playoff environment.”
The Dodgers’ bullpen took the one-run lead and gingerly passed it from Alex Vesia to Evan Phillips to Blake Treinen and Michael Kopech. A two-out walk by Kopech in the ninth put the tying run in scoring position but he struck out Solano with a 101mph fastball.
Shohei gives the #Dodgers the lead with a rocket double 🔥 pic.twitter.com/hDePyGVAzx
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) September 26, 2024
Gavin Lux with the hit 💥
Tommy Edman with the speed 🏃♂️pic.twitter.com/KvQ0M3NM9M— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) September 26, 2024
Another Shohei base hit 🔥
Dodgers take back the lead! pic.twitter.com/7cfuMxcpQ4
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) September 26, 2024
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) September 26, 2024
101 mph from Michael to shut it down! pic.twitter.com/8piSCiJQlu
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 26, 2024
Shohei reflects on his strong performance tonight and feeding off of the energy of the fans in these meaningful games. pic.twitter.com/8PBBFMKs4P
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) September 26, 2024
Dave Roberts spoke with reporters postgame to discuss the bullpen's performance, Shohei's impressive consistency, and concerns about Miguel Rojas' injury. pic.twitter.com/H3ut5GnnJi
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) September 26, 2024
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