Marlins Tag Shohei Ohtani as Dodgers Drop Close Contest
Uncharacteristic start from Shohei Ohtani, poor offense proved to be too much as Los Angeles Dodgers lose 2-1.
There would be no heroics Tuesday night as the Los Angeles Dodgers fall to the Miami Marlins 2-1. Before the game had commenced and starting lineups were announced, there was plenty to take away from Dave Roberts' lineup. For one, the hot-hitting Dalton Rushing was in the leadoff spot and hitting as the designated hitter.
It's a spot that has been exclusively inhabited by two-way star Shohei Ohtani. Roberts hinted before Monday's game at the idea of having Ohtani solely pitch on his start days. Roberts added that the Dodgers and Ohtani's ultimate goal was to get him through every start of his 2026 campaign.
And, with that has to come compromise and load management when it comes to the hitting side. This will be a common phenomenon as the season goes on for Ohtani. For his fifth start of the year, this was an out-of-character start for Ohtani.
From the jump, it wasn't painting out to be that. He began his outing by striking out the first two Marlins hitters before giving up his first hit to Otto Lopez. Miami scored first in the second inning as a throwing error from Ohtani turned into an Owen Caissie sacrifice fly.