Shohei Ohtani stole his 49th base on Wednesday night, inching closer to becoming the first player in Major League history to hit 50 homers and 50 steals in a single season, as the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Miami Marlins 8-4.
Ohtani, starting the day needing two of each to reach the milestone, singled to lead off the game before stealing second. In his subsequent at-bats, he flew out to left field, struck out twice, and lined out to right.
“What a season—it’s remarkable that he can hit as a DH, but what’s more remarkable is that he keeps his legs loose to be able to steal,” commented Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
Tommy Edman, riding a hot streak, hit his sixth homer in eight games for the NL West-leading Dodgers (90-62), who maintained a 3 1/2 game lead over second-place San Diego. Enrique Hernández and Will Smith also homered, and Freddie Freeman contributed three hits.
The Dodgers achieved their 90th victory for the 11th straight 162-game season. “It’s pretty impressive. It’s one of the best organizations in baseball in terms of winning consistency,” Roberts said. “You can’t take it for granted because playing in October isn’t guaranteed for any team.”
Dodgers starter Landon Knack (3-4) rebounded from a poor previous outing, allowing just two hits over five scoreless innings. He walked two and struck out seven after giving up five runs and seven hits in two innings against Atlanta last Friday. “Obviously, not happy with that one,” Knack admitted. “I was very angry and ready to bounce back.”
Will Smith gave Los Angeles an early advantage with a solo homer in the second inning, slugging a fastball from Marlins starter Ryan Weathers over the left-field wall for his 19th of the season. The Dodgers sealed their victory with a five-run fourth inning against Weathers (3-6). Edman hit a two-run homer, and Hernández followed with a three-run drive.
“I’ve had some bad habits that I’ve developed, and I’ve been working hard to correct them,” Edman said about his recent power surge. “It’s still a work in progress, but I think it’s getting better.”
Miami trimmed the deficit with Otto López’s two-run single off Zach Logue and Nick Fortes’ sacrifice fly against Blake Treinen in the seventh inning. Chris Taylor extended Los Angeles’ lead with a two-run single in the eighth.
Weathers made his first appearance since June 7 after being sidelined by a left index finger strain. His night ended after Freeman’s one-out double in the fifth inning. Weathers surrendered six runs on eight hits while striking out five. “I was happy to be back,” Weathers said. “I wish I could have thrown the ball better.”
The crowd of 17,138 pushed the Marlins’ season attendance to 1,007,039, better only than the Oakland A’s.
Before the game, the Dodgers activated right-handed reliever Joe Kelly from the injured list and selected Zach Logue’s contract from Triple-A Oklahoma City. Kelly replaced Knack and pitched a perfect sixth inning. The Dodgers optioned right-handed pitchers Bobby Miller and Michael Grove to Oklahoma City.
In the trainer’s room, Dodgers LHP Clayton Kershaw (left big toe bone spur) threw a bullpen session on Wednesday, which Roberts deemed an important step in his rehab. INF Miguel Rojas was a late scratch, feeling under the weather, according to Roberts.
For the Marlins, RHP Max Meyer (right shoulder bursitis) continues his rehab at the team’s spring training complex in Jupiter, Fla. He will be evaluated soon for a possible throwing program.
