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The Los Angeles Dodgers continue to ride the wave of Shohei Ohtani's two-way spectacles
Following a comeback win on Tuesday, the Dodgers secured the series win on Wednesday night with a 4-0 shutout against the San Diego Padres.
They have won seven of their last eight games.
For just the third time all year, Ohtani would be hitting the same day of his start.
Dave Roberts noted in the pregame that he ultimately decided to have Ohtani act as a two-way player due to his recent production at the plate. It also helps that the Dodgers have a scheduled off day on Thursday, plus his additonal two days off last week.
Ohtani would lower his sub-one ERA even further as he notched five scoreless innings and picked up four strikeouts against the Padres Wednesday night.
His ERA now stands at 0.73.
May 20, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) delivers during the second inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. -- © Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
Ohtani kicked off his outing at Petco Park perfect, as he retired the first nine Padres hitters in order.
After giving up his first walk to Fernando Tatis Jr. for San Diego's first base runner of the game, Gavin Sheets would knock in the Padres first hit two batters later.
Ohtani managed to escape a traffic-filled inning with runners on first and second, as he induced back-to-back fly outs on Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts.
His final inning of work (fifth inning) was a stressfull way to end his outing.
After giving up back-to-back base knocks to lead off the inning, a walk to Freddy Fermin loaded the bases full of Padres and only one out.
That prompted a mound visit with Mark Prior and the rest of the Dodgers infield, including Mookie Betts being the last player to give Ohtani words of encouragement.
All it took was one pitch to get Tatis Jr. to ground into an inning ending double play.
Once Betts' throw from second base hit the back of Freddie Freeman's glove at first base, Ohtani let out a roar of emotion.
Of course it wouldn't be a Ohtani two-way start day without him doing something at the plate.
On the first pitch of the game from Padres starter Randy Vásquez, Ohtani launched his eighth home run to deep center field.
That ball had an exit velocity of 111.3 mph.
That lead off bomb from Ohtani was just the second time in MLB history that a starting pitcher led off a game with a home run.
From then on, Teoscar Hernández would hit a sacrifice fly in the top of the second — accompanied with a moon shot in the ninth — and a Kyle Tucker RBI single were the runs needed for a win.
With the win, the Dodgers improve to a 31-19 record, and take the first series meeting against the Padres.
Looking ahead, the Dodgers have a Thursday off day before traveling to Milwaukee to face the Brewers for a three-game series.
The probables for the weekend series kicks off with Justoin Wrobleski toeingthe rubber in the series opener, with Roki Sasaki following on Saturday, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto starts in the series closer.
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Following a comeback win on Tuesday, the Dodgers secured the series win on Wednesday night with a 4-0 shutout against the San Diego Padres.
They have won seven of their last eight games.
Ohtani Shuts Out Padres for Five Innings, Despite Late-Inning Command Issues
For just the third time all year, Ohtani would be hitting the same day of his start.
Dave Roberts noted in the pregame that he ultimately decided to have Ohtani act as a two-way player due to his recent production at the plate. It also helps that the Dodgers have a scheduled off day on Thursday, plus his additonal two days off last week.
Ohtani would lower his sub-one ERA even further as he notched five scoreless innings and picked up four strikeouts against the Padres Wednesday night.
His ERA now stands at 0.73.
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May 20, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) delivers during the second inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. -- © Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
Ohtani kicked off his outing at Petco Park perfect, as he retired the first nine Padres hitters in order.
After giving up his first walk to Fernando Tatis Jr. for San Diego's first base runner of the game, Gavin Sheets would knock in the Padres first hit two batters later.
Ohtani managed to escape a traffic-filled inning with runners on first and second, as he induced back-to-back fly outs on Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts.
His final inning of work (fifth inning) was a stressfull way to end his outing.
After giving up back-to-back base knocks to lead off the inning, a walk to Freddy Fermin loaded the bases full of Padres and only one out.
That prompted a mound visit with Mark Prior and the rest of the Dodgers infield, including Mookie Betts being the last player to give Ohtani words of encouragement.
All it took was one pitch to get Tatis Jr. to ground into an inning ending double play.
Once Betts' throw from second base hit the back of Freddie Freeman's glove at first base, Ohtani let out a roar of emotion.
Shohei Ohtani found himself in a bases loaded situation and one out with Fernando Tatis Jr. at the plate.
He managed to pitch out of it by inducing a one-pitch DP to end the inning.
A roar was let out by Ohtani as he walked off the mound. pic.twitter.com/jnG362N2VD
— Adrian Medina (@AdrianMedina_16) May 21, 2026
Ohtani's Lead off Bomb Sets Tone for Dodgers Offense
Of course it wouldn't be a Ohtani two-way start day without him doing something at the plate.
On the first pitch of the game from Padres starter Randy Vásquez, Ohtani launched his eighth home run to deep center field.
That ball had an exit velocity of 111.3 mph.
Shohei Ohtani (the pitcher) drives the first pitch of the game 398 feet to deep center field.
that ball had an exit velocity of 111.3 mph. pic.twitter.com/w2EUxbQGgA
— Adrian Medina (@AdrianMedina_16) May 21, 2026
That lead off bomb from Ohtani was just the second time in MLB history that a starting pitcher led off a game with a home run.
From then on, Teoscar Hernández would hit a sacrifice fly in the top of the second — accompanied with a moon shot in the ninth — and a Kyle Tucker RBI single were the runs needed for a win.
Teoscar Hernández with an absolute moon shot to the second deck. pic.twitter.com/iCJH8iyBPB
— Adrian Medina (@AdrianMedina_16) May 21, 2026
What's next?
With the win, the Dodgers improve to a 31-19 record, and take the first series meeting against the Padres.
Looking ahead, the Dodgers have a Thursday off day before traveling to Milwaukee to face the Brewers for a three-game series.
The probables for the weekend series kicks off with Justoin Wrobleski toeingthe rubber in the series opener, with Roki Sasaki following on Saturday, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto starts in the series closer.
Join the Community
Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news!
It's completely free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!
Continue reading...