Shohei Ohtani was scratched from his start due to illness but still managed two hits; Dodgers suffered a shutout and have lost 4 of their last 5 games.

Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani was originally scheduled to start against the Pittsburgh Pirates today (4th), but was removed from the starting lineup before the game due to feeling unwell and appeared only as a designated hitter. Despite his discomfort, Ohtani still recorded two hits, yet the Dodgers managed just five hits as a team and failed to string together rallies, ultimately losing 0-3 and dropping 4 of their last 5 games.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts explained that Ohtani was feeling under the weather with a severe cough. After careful consideration, the team decided that having him serve as the designated hitter would not affect his health.

Originally slated to start today, Ohtani led off the top of the first inning, battling through five pitches before striking out on a foul tip. In the bottom of the first, Emmet Sheehan, who replaced him on the mound, gave up a solo home run with two outs, giving the Pirates a 1-0 lead.

In the top of the second inning, the Dodgers began their comeback. Freddie Freeman hit a single, followed by two consecutive walks, loading the bases with no outs. However, the Pirates' starting pitcher regained control, striking out two batters in a row and then inducing a flyout from Enrique Hernández, leaving the Dodgers empty-handed with the bases loaded.

In the bottom of the second, the Pirates added a second run on another solo home run. In the top of the third, Ohtani flew out to the infield, and with two outs, the Dodgers again loaded the bases through a hit and two walks but ended the inning with a groundout, failing to score. In the top of the fifth, Ohtani hit a long ball and advanced to third base thanks to a teammate’s hit, but Freeman then hit into a double play, leaving the Dodgers scoreless. The Pirates added a third run in the bottom of the sixth on a timely extra-base hit.

In the top of the seventh, Ohtani singled and was moved to second base after a walk by a teammate, but the Dodgers still couldn’t generate a rally. In the top of the ninth, Ohtani struck out looking to end the game, and the Dodgers were shut out 0-3, suffering their second consecutive loss in this series and their fourth defeat in the last five games.

Although he was scratched from starting due to illness, Ohtani’s batting remained strong. The team only managed five hits total, two of which came from Ohtani. He finished with five at-bats, two hits, and two strikeouts, raising his batting average to .280. Over his last three games, he has collected six hits in 14 at-bats.

The Dodgers received six walks in the game but failed to score despite seven opportunities with runners in scoring position. The Pirates’ pitching staff, consisting of five pitchers, combined to allow only five hits and secured the shutout, which was the key factor in their victory. Although the Pirates recorded only seven hits and had just three chances with runners in scoring position, they managed one hit and two solo home runs, enough to overcome the Dodgers.

The only good news for the Dodgers is that the San Diego Padres lost again to the Baltimore Orioles, suffering their fourth consecutive defeat, allowing the Dodgers to maintain a 2.5-game lead in the National League West division.