Scoring was much more prevalent on Wednesday, but the Dodgers secured their second straight one-run win against the Tampa Bay Rays, taking the finale 5-4 to complete the sweep.
Just like on Tuesday, both teams were held scoreless over the first three innings, as Shohei Ohtani and Shane McClanahan allowed just two baserunners apiece over that span.
The Dodgers began the bottom of the fourth with a leadoff walk to Mookie Betts, giving them their first baserunner since the second inning. A dazzling defensive
play from Richie Palacios robbed Kyle Tucker of a hit but moved Betts into scoring position, setting the table for an RBI single from Alex Call to help the Dodgers strike first against McClanahan.
A successful ABS challenge by Dalton Rushing helped him reach on a walk, and Alex Freeland kept the two-out rally alive with an RBI single to left to make it a two-run lead. After a walk to Tommy Edman loaded the bases, that marked the end for McClanahan’s day. Casey Legunima got out of the jam without any further trouble by getting Andy Pages to line out to leave the bases full.
After Shohei Ohtani extended the Dodgers’ pitching scoreless streak to 20 innings against Tampa Bay, Ohtani allowed the first two to reach in the top of the fifth with a walk to Victor Mesa Jr. and a double from Hunter Feduccia. The shutout attempt fell by the wayside with a sacrifice fly from Taylor Walls, and an RBI single from Yandy Díaz tied the game at two to take McClanahan off the hook for the loss.
Ohtani induced a ground ball off the bat of Cedric Mullins that looked like a sure out at first, but Freddie Freeman hesitated on the play and Ohtani couldn’t cover the bag in time allowing Mullins to reach to load the bases. Tommy Edman made a fantastic play to rob Junior Caminero of a hit, but the throw nearly got away from Freeland to spoil the double play, score a run and help Tampa Bay take a 3-2 lead. Palacios followed up with a two-out RBI single to right to make it a two-run Rays lead.
The Dodgers responded by loading the bases against Legumina with nobody out to begin the bottom of the fifth which signaled the end of his afternoon. Tucker worked a nine-pitch walk against Garrett Cleavinger to bring the Dodgers down a run, but the left-hander got both Alex Call and Dalton Rushing to fly out before striking out Alex Freeland to get out of the jam.
Ohtani had better fortunes in the sixth inning, retiring the side in order to end his outing. Wednesday was the most struggling start for Ohtani as a Dodger, as his four earned runs were the most he’s allowed in any start this season. He’s allowed seven runs over his last 12 2/3 IP and his season ERA now sits at 1.47, which now ranks second behind Jacob Misiorowski for the lowest ERA among all pitchers with at least 70 innings.
Despite the poor start, the Dodgers took him off the hook for the loss and in line for the win, as Freddie Freeman clobbered a two-run home run to center field, giving the Dodgers the lead once again.
Edgardo Henriquez worked around a leadoff infield single from Díaz in the top of the seventh and recorded four outs overall on the day. Jack Dreyer followed him out of the bullpen to secure the final two outs in the top of the eighth inning.
Instead of Tanner Scott attempting to record a third consecutive save against the Rays, Alex Vesia was called upon for the ninth. Vesia allowed a leadoff walk to pinch-hitter Austin Slater, and Slater took second on a stolen base to put the potential tying run in scoring position. The left-hander got pinch-hitter Ben Williamson to line out before inducing an infield pop fly out from Taylor Walls. Díaz was put on intentionally to fill the open bag at first and Aranda worked a seven-pitch walk to load the bases with two outs. Vesia found himself in a full count against Mullins, but a sharp slider sent him down swinging on strikes, securing the Dodgers’ first sweep since doing so against the Colorado Rockies from May 25-27.
Game particulars
- Home runs— Freddie Freeman (12)
- WP— Shohei Ohtani (8-2): 6 IP, 7 hits, 4 earned runs, 1 walk, 5 strikeouts
- LP— Kevin Kelly (4-3): 2 IP, 3 hits, 2 earned runs, 0 walks, 1 strikeout
- SV— Alex Vesia (3): 1 IP, 0 hits, 0 runs, 3 walk, 1 strikeout
Up next
The Dodgers are off on Thursday but are back at home to welcome the Baltimore Orioles for a three-game set beginning Friday (7:10 p.m. PT, SportsNet LA). Roki Sasaki goes for the Dodgers while the Orioles have yet to announce their starter.
