Dodgers claim series victory in Pittsburgh after Ohtani early exit

Shohei Ohtani runs to home plate in the Dodgers’ win in Pittsburgh on Thursday. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

by Mark Langill

When he displays the dominating pitching and power, Shohei Ohtani is bigger than life.

And the in-game announcement of an injury Thursday night in Pittsburgh suddenly reminded the baseball world that the two-time reigning National League MVP — now bidding for his first career Cy Young Award — is all too human.

Ohtani departed the Dodgers’ 8–6 victory at PNC Park due to inflammation in his left knee.

Something seemed wrong during the seventh inning when Santiago Espinal pinch-hit for Ohtani, who had reached base in all four of his plate appearances.

“Not high,” Roberts said when asked his level of concern over Ohtani’s injury. “I think we tried to be smart about it and talked to the trainer. I feel good about (Ohtani) being in (the lineup) tomorrow.”

Roberts said he hadn’t spoken to Ohtani after the game, but it was his understanding that Ohtani felt discomfort behind his knee, perhaps in the hamstring area, which prompted them to him for precautionary reasons.

Because of Ohtani’s two-way talent, the next questions to Roberts dealt with whether it was better for Ohtani, a right-handed pitcher, to feel discomfort in his “push off” left leg, or his “landing” right leg.

The team’s travel to Chicago ahead of their three-game series against the White Sox will play a factor in deciding if Ohtani will play in the Friday opener. Ohtani is also expected to perform his between-start pitching exercises, along with batting drills on Friday at Rate Field.

After those checklists are completed, the Dodgers will determine whether Ohtani should take a day off.

Roberts didn’t know if there was a specific play that caused the injury. Ohtani had attempted to steal second base after his fourth-inning single, but returned to first base after Andy Pages hit a foul ball.

Ohtani went 2-for-2 with two walks and a home run in the third inning off Pittsburgh starter Mitch Keller. His 13th homer of the season started the Dodger offense to help them claim their first series victory at PNC Park since 2021.

Kyle Tucker and Miguel Rojas each drove in a pair of runs in the win.

“It’s always good to win a series, but here it just seems like it’s (harder) to win baseball games here,” Roberts said. “These guys play tough, they’re young, they can really pitch, the starting pitching is typically very good. It’s a scrappy team.”

Left-hander Tanner Scott struck out the side in the ninth inning to complete a four-out save. The Dodgers improved to 7–0 since May 13 in games following a loss.

Earlier, starter Justin Wrobleski left the game in the fifth inning due to a right hamstring contusion. Pirates left fielder Brian Reynolds hit a line drive that struck Wrobleski, who quickly dashed to cover first base. Both collided while Wrobleski tried to cover first base.

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Wrobleski after the game said he felt fine and didn’t expect to miss his next start. The awkward play at first base could’ve been worse, but Reynolds made an attempt to avoid contact.

Wrobleski entered the game on a roll, having allowed just one run in 13 innings with 13 strikeouts and no walks. But he didn’t feel as comfortable against the Pirates. He allowed solo home runs in the fifth inning to Brandon Lowe and Rafael Flores Jr.

“I wasn’t making good pitches early in the counts,” said Wrobleski, who allowed four runs on six hits in 4 2/3 innings. “They were just sitting there and taking them. It was just one of those outings where I didn’t think I was synched up.”