Shohei Ohtani exits early after hit-by-pitch and knee trouble; Dodgers pitchers surrender five homers in loss to Cardinals

In a 13-8 home defeat to the St. Louis Cardinals, the Dodgers' pitchers gave up five homers. Leadoff hitter and two-way star Shohei Ohtani reached base three times and collected one hit, but he showed signs of discomfort after a sudden stop while running the bases, grimacing in pain. He was then hit by a pitch on his right elbow in the bottom of the seventh inning and was ultimately removed before the bottom of the eighth, causing concern among fans and coaches.

The Dodgers' pitching staff had no answers for the Cardinals' offense. Starter Eric Lauer lasted only three innings, allowing seven runs before being pulled, and the subsequent relievers also gave up home runs, allowing the game to get out of hand. Although Mookie Betts drove in four runs with two extra-base hits, the early deficit proved insurmountable. The Dodgers even resorted to using position player Enrique Hernández on the mound, ultimately falling 13-8.

Ohtani recorded a single in the game, but while trying to advance on a teammate's hit, he stopped abruptly after rounding third base and dove back, later appearing to favor his knee. In the bottom of the seventh, he was hit by a pitch on his right elbow guard, drawing boos from the home crowd. He was then replaced before his next at-bat. After the game, his batting average rose slightly to .281, but his power stroke remains absent, as he has gone 54 consecutive plate appearances without a home run.

As the season nears its end, the Dodgers hold a 82-56 record, leading the NL West by 9.5 games over the second-place San Diego Padres, as they gear up for a playoff push.