Ohtani Resurrects Dodgers with 2 HRs: Crucial Victory Against Orioles

The [Los Angeles Dodgers](/mlb/team/_/name/lad/los-angeles-dodgers) achieved an important 5-2 victory against the Orioles, ending a losing streak that had affected the team.

Ohtani Leads the Offense

After a series of adverse results, the Dodgers needed a boost. [Shohei Ohtani](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/39832/shohei-ohtani) responded immediately, hitting a home run on the second pitch of the game. Ohtani continued his outstanding performance with another home run in the third inning, adding his forty-eighth home run of the season.

Obviously, Shohei starting the game with a home run was huge. You could see the life in the dugout.

Dave Roberts, Dodgers Manager

This victory was crucial for the team, especially after the defeat suffered the previous day, where [Yoshinobu Yamamoto](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/4872587/yoshinobu-yamamoto) was close to achieving a no-hitter, but a home run by [Jackson Holliday](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/5080633/jackson-holliday) in the ninth inning changed the course of the game, resulting in a 4-3 loss. The losing streak, which began with three games lost against Pittsburgh, extended to five games, including two setbacks in the ninth inning.

We don’t lose much around here. It’s not something you get used to, but when it happens, baseball isn’t that fun.

Clayton Kershaw

The team desperately needed this victory, and Ohtani set the tone from the start.

Whenever you get ahead early, it’s huge. It’s a good reset from last night, too, a quick 1-0 lead for us. That was good.

Clayton Kershaw

The Dodgers return home, maintaining first place in the NL West. Ohtani, who also received three walks, and [Mookie Betts](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/33039/mookie-betts), who also hit a home run, were key in the victory. [Clayton Kershaw](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/28963/clayton-kershaw) contributed with his sixth consecutive victory.

It was great. Shohei was on base five times and Mookie has been hitting very well. Overall, I liked the energy and I liked the way we played. Even the guys at the bottom [of the lineup] did their job today.

Dave Roberts, Dodgers Manager

The victory made the trip back to Los Angeles much more bearable.

It’s not a surprise how we responded. There was no panic. Our guys weren’t down. We were upbeat, wanting to play a game and win it. That’s a sign that we still have confidence in the room.

Dave Roberts, Manager of the Dodgers

He speaks of character and, certainly, when you have Shohei and Mookie doing what they are doing, that’s also helpful.

Dave Roberts, Manager of the Dodgers