Ohtani Pitches 6 Innings, Strikes Out 9 in Dodgers 2-1 Loss

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani delivered six innings of work against the Miami Marlins on Tuesday night in Los Angeles, striking out nine batters while allowing two runs on five hits and three walks, but he did not bat in the team's 2-1 loss. The performance marked the second time this season Ohtani has pitched without serving as the designated hitter, as the Dodgers prioritize his long-term health in his first full campaign as both a starter and hitter.

Ohtani threw 104 pitches, his most with the Dodgers, with 67 for strikes, before exiting with the Dodgers trailing 2-0. He escaped a bases-loaded jam in the fifth inning unscathed, though command issues led to his first multi-run outing of the year. The right-hander's earned run average rose slightly from 0.38 to 0.60 after surrendering his second earned run in 30 innings. Pitching on five days' rest for the first time this season, rather than his customary six or more, Ohtani joined Fernando Valenzuela in 1981 and himself last year as the only Dodgers pitchers to allow just one earned run over their first five starts.

Manager Dave Roberts explained the decision to rest Ohtani's bat as a strategic move to keep...