PHOENIX — Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani delivered a masterful performance in his final regular-season start, but his brilliant outing was overshadowed by a late-game bullpen collapse that led to a heartbreaking 5-4 walk-off loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday.
Taking the mound at Chase Field, Ohtani pitched his best game since returning from a long pitching layoff, notching his first six-inning outing of the season. He shut down the Diamondbacks' offense, allowing no runs on just five hits while striking out eight. Ohtani looked sharp from the start, retiring the first six batters he faced. He navigated through a few jams in later innings, including a two-on, two-out situation in the sixth, but he consistently found a way to escape unscathed.
His final pitching line for the season stands at 14 starts, a 1-1 record, a 2.87 ERA over 47 innings, with 62 strikeouts and 40 hits allowed. While his personal record doesn't reflect his impressive performance, Ohtani has shown significant progress on the mound this season.
Ohtani left the game with a 3-0 lead and was in line for his second win of the season. However, the Dodgers' bullpen couldn't hold the lead. The Diamondbacks chipped away, and the game was tied in the bottom of the ninth before Geraldo Perdomo delivered a walk-off single off closer Tanner Scott, handing the Dodgers a stunning 5-4 defeat.
At the plate, Ohtani also contributed to the offense. Batting leadoff, he went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. His walk in the sixth inning set the stage for a crucial two-run triple by Teoscar Hernández, extending the Dodgers' lead at the time and giving Ohtani some added breathing room.
This defeat, which marks the Dodgers' latest loss, brings their record to 88-69. Despite the recent stumble, the team has already secured a postseason berth and remains focused on clinching the National League West division title.
On a side note, Dodgers utility player Kim Ha-seong was absent from the lineup for the eighth consecutive game. His last appearance was as a defensive substitute on September 15 against the San Francisco Giants.
Ohtani's stellar return to pitching is a major storyline for the Dodgers as they head into the postseason. While he may not have gotten the win he deserved, his performance proves he's a formidable two-way threat as the team gears up for a deep playoff run. The Dodgers will look to bounce back and get back on track to secure their divisional crown.
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