|
|
|
|
Printable Page
10/14 22:58 CDT Shohei Ohtani at No. 6, a lone single, and the Dodgers staring
at elimination
Shohei Ohtani at No. 6, a lone single, and the Dodgers staring at elimination
By BETH HARRIS
AP Sports Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) --- Slumping Shohei Ohtani singled after being dropped to
sixth in the order for the Los Angeles Dodgers, whose 6-2 loss to the Milwaukee
Brewers in the National League Championship Series put them on the brink of
postseason elimination on Wednesday night.
It's the lowest the left-handed hitting Ohtani has hit since joining the
Dodgers three years ago on a $700 million, 10-year contract. Manager Dave
Roberts wanted to alternate right- and left-handed hitters throughout the
lineup against Milwaukee's left-handed starter Robert Gasser.
"Shohei's all on board," Roberts said before the game. "Whatever it takes to
win."
It wasn't enough, and now the two-time defending World Series champions trail
3-0 in the best-of-seven series.
Ohtani flied out in the second, got hit by a pitch in the fourth and walked in
the sixth before singling with two outs in the eighth. The Dodgers had runners
on base in all but three innings.
"We're just not getting those timely hits," Roberts said afterward. "We've had
some opportunities with guys on base, but can't get that hit."
Ohtani, the designated hitter, is typically atop the order, but Roberts has
dropped him lower during a slump that has extended into the postseason. Ohtani
has been struggling with left knee and right biceps issues for a few months,
and said before the National League Division Series that he's not 100% healthy.
During his six years with the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani started games batting
sixth or lower 19 times, all during the 2020 season or earlier.
Ohtani is hitting .182 (4 for 22) over seven postseason games. He has seven
strikeouts, four walks and one stolen base with no home runs, no RBIs and an
OPS of .533.
He hasn't homered since Aug. 18 at Colorado.
"I couldn't imagine really kind of having the expectations that he has and
falling short in a way that it's not normal for him," teammate Mookie Betts
said before the game. "Then having to come back and be present in this
postseason knowing how important he is to the boys."
Roberts said he saw a more focused Ohtani during off-day batting practice
Tuesday.
"He was determined, and that's an understatement," the manager said. "He was
here late last night working on his swing, out with the guys and talking about
things on how we're going to beat these guys."
Dodgers pitcher Tyler Glasnow, set to start Game 4 on Thursday, said Ohtani's
demeanor doesn't deviate regardless of how well he's performing.
"I think most people put in that situation, you'd have a lot more emotional
volatility, so it's just impressive to see him just be a good dude always,"
Glasnow said. "I don't think he needs reassurance or anything. He's confident
in himself. It's just business as usual and a lot of smiles and the same laugh."
___
https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
|
| Copyright DTN. All rights reserved. Disclaimer. |
|
